ORNAMENTAL 
•SHRUBS  • 


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Bra 


1 


LUCIUS  D.DAVIS. 


MAIN   LIE 


'CULTURE  DEJ»T. 


ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS 


ORNAMENTALJSWRUBS 

o  •         *  •    :....,      .,»»e, 

FOR 

GARDEN,  LAWN,  AND  PARK 
PLANTING 

WITH    AN    ACCOUNT    OF    THE    ORIGIN,    CAPABILITIES,    AND 
ADAPTATIONS  OF  THE  NUMEROUS  SPECIES  AND  VARIE- 
TIES,  NATIVE   AND   FOREIGN,   AND   ESPECIALLY 
OF  THE  NEW  AND  RARE  SORTS,  SUITED 
TO   CULTIVATION   IN   THE 
UNITED    STATES 


BY 

LUCIUS  D.  DAVIS 


FULLY   ILLUSTRATED 


G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 

NEW    YORK   AND   LONDON 
"Knickerbocker  press 
1899 


SB4S5 


COPYRIGHT,  1899 

BY 
LUCIUS   D.  DAVIS 

Entered  at  Stationers'  Hall,  London 
MAIN  LIBRARY  ./•o«*— «»  -»•«**»»:  DEPT. 


Ube  Tknicfcerbocfcer  press,  flew 


PREFACE 

AS  this  is  not  designed  to  be  a  scientific  treatise,  no 
attempt  is  made  at  strictly  botanical  classification 
or  description.  What  is  written  is  more  especially 
for  the  large  number  of  people  who,  though  interested  in 
plants  and  flowers,  have  little  or  no  knowledge  of  botany, 
and  neither  time  nor  inclination  to  acquire  it.  It  is  not 
intended  by  this  statement,  however,  to  give  support  to  a 
somewhat  common  opinion  that  the  lessons  of  botany  are 
useless  or  uninviting,  for  few  studies  can  be,  to  a  genuine 
lover  of  nature,  more  attractive  or  even  fascinating.  In 
nearly  all  cases  the  popular  names  of  plants  are  given  in 
connection  with  those  by  which  they  are  scientifically 
known  throughout  the  civilized  world.  Botanical  terms 
and  phrases  are  employed  in  description  only  when  it  is 
believed  they  will  interest  and  assist  the  ordinary  reader, 
rather  than  tend  to  his  embarrassment.  It  is  certainly 
worth  something  to  those  who  admire  trees,  shrubs,  and 
flowers  to  know  their  scientific  as  well  as  their  common 
names,  and,  to  some  extent,  their  origin  and  history. 

It  is  as  a  help  to  such  knowledge,  the  want  of  which  is 
sorely  felt  by  many,  that  these  pages  have  been  written 
and  are  now  given  to  the  public.  Much  that  is  contained 

herein  is  gathered  from  the  writings  of  those  who  have 

iii 

517225 


iv  Preface. 

gone  before,  including  recognized  authorities  whose  works 
are  valuable  chiefly  to  those  who,  like  their  authors,  are 
learned  in  botanical  studies.  But  dependence  has  not 
been  made  on  these  alone.  The  volume  has  been  pre- 
pared in  Newport,  R.  I.,  America's  great  summer  resort, 
which  in  its  magnificent  villa  and  cottage  grounds  is 
almost  literally  a  city  of  gardens  and  flowers.  Here  per- 
haps more  than  anywhere  else  in  America  are  to  be  found 
in  practical  use  the  combined  horticultural  treasures  of 
the  world. 

These  famous  gardens  derive  their  chief  beauty  and 
glory  from  what  are  known  as  hardy  plants.  In  almost 
every  instance  the  chief  reliance  for  both  flowers  and 
foliage  is  upon  shrubs  and  herbaceous  perennials.  The 
author  has  improved  the  opportunity  of  studying  the  pro- 
cesses of  growth  and  cultivation  on  most  of  these  estates 
from  their  inception  to  their  present  proportions,  and  is 
thus  able  to  write  largely  from  personal  observation  and 
study  of  the  living  specimens  in  all  stages  of  their  growth. 
Here  are  to  be  found  the  newer  as  well  as  the  older  hardy 
exotics  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  where  such  have  been 
grown  alongside  our  native  plants  and  their  relative  merits 
fully  determined.  All  those  which  have  withstood  the 
tests  of  experience  are  here  brought  under  review,  and 
their  especial  characteristics  noted  so  far  as  practicable  in 
the  space  allotted  ;  it  being  the  purpose  to  cover  the 
whole  field  especially  of  the  hardy  shrubs,  old  or  new, 
adapted  to  useful  and  ornamental  planting. 

It  is  well  understood  that  botany  deals  chiefly  with 
fixed  forms,  as  represented  by  orders,  genera,  and  species, 


Preface.  v 

and  that  it  takes  little  or  no  note  of  such  varieties  as 
are  constantly  making  their  appearance  throughout  the 
world.  For  this  there  is  good  reason  from  a  scientific 
standpoint,  but  when  it  comes  to  the  practical  use  of 
plants  in  general  cultivation  it  is  found  that  many  of  the 
species  thus  treated  have  given  forth  varieties,  through 
processes  well  understood,  that  are  far  more  valuable  for 
the  work  in  hand  than  the  originals,  and  such  as  are  com- 
ing, in  a  large  measure,  to  displace  them.  A  very  large 
proportion  of  the  plants  in  the  best  gardens  of  Europe 
and  America  belong  to  the  latter  class,  many  of  which  are 
not  even  named  by  the  scientists — much  less  described. 
To  these  especial  attention  is  given,  as  for  horticultural 
purposes  they  are  of  great  value.  It  is  true  that  much 
has  been  written  in  a  fragmentary  way  concerning  these 
varietal  forms,  but  this  is  believed  to  be  the  first  attempt 
to  gather  and  publish  in  a  single  volume  an  account  of  the 
wonderful  evolutions  in  connection  with  the  several  types 
so  far  as  they  are  of  practical  use  in  our  gardens  and 
parks.  There  are  also  many  excellent  books  in  the  hands 
of  the  people,  or  at  their  command,  treating  of  the  plants 
of  certain  sections  of  the  world,  each  complete  in  itself, 
but  regardless  of  their  value  in  horticulture  or  of  the  uses 
to  which  they  may  be  put.  All  this  is  in  the  direct  line 
of  scientific  inquiry,  and  such  books  are  of  the  highest 
possible  value,  but  fail  to  meet  the  call  for  information 
which  comes  from  the  man  with  grounds  to  plant,  and 
who  is  neither  a  botanist  nor  versed  in  horticulture. 

Though  the  attempt  is  here  made  to  describe  in  brief 
the  desirable  forms  indigenous  to  other  countries  as  well 


vi  Preface. 

as  our  own,  so  far  as  they  are  in  use  among  us  and  appli- 
cable to  the  wants  of  American  horticulture,  there  will 
still  be  left  large  possibilities  for  the  future.  New  varie- 
ties are  springing  up  and  new  forms  appearing  every  year, 
both  by  natural  processes  and  through  the  skilful  work  of 
the  hybridizers  and  gardeners,  who  are  ever  on  the  look- 
out for  new  things  in  this  line.  These  processes  will  go 
on  in  the  future  as  they  have  in  the  past,  and  it  may  well 
be  believed  that  the  possibilities  are  limitless  in  this 
direction. 

Acknowledgments  are  due  to  Messrs.  Elwanger  &  Barry 
of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  ;  The  Gardening  Company,  and  the 
publishers  of  Park  and  Cemetery  of  Chicago  ;  E.  L.  Beard 
of  Boston,  and  W.  C.  Egan  of  Highland  Park,  for  several 
valuable  plates  and  photographs  used  in  illustrating  this 

volume. 

L.  D.  D. 

NEWPORT,  R.  I., 

February,  1899. 


ORNAMENTAL  SHRUBS. 


KALMIA — Mountain  Laurel. 

THE  kalmias,  or  laurels,  are  among  the  most  beauti- 
ful plants  in  cultivation.  They  constitute  a  small 
genus  of  the  order  Ericacecz,  which  was  named  by 
Linnaeus  in  honor  of  Peter  Kalm,  who  was  at  one  time  his 
favorite  pupil,  and,  later,  a  traveller  and  distinguished 
botanist.  They  are  all  of  American  origin,  and  may  be 
found  over  a  large  extent  of  territory  ranging  from  Canada 
to  Florida.  But  five  or  six  species  are  known,  and  not 
many  established  varieties,  though  there  are  some  forms 
so  near  the  border  between  the  two  as  to  make  it  difficult 
to  draw  the  line  with  certainty. 

K.  latifolia — Calico  Bush. — This  is  the  well-known 
mountain  laurel,  which  is  indigenous  to  New  England  and 
even  much  farther  north,  and  may  therefore  be  put  down 
as  perfectly  hardy  and  easily  grown  throughout  the  north 
and  northwestern  States  and  Territories.  It  is  found 
high  up  among  the  New  Hampshire  mountains  and  often 
in  most  inhospitable  situations,  as  well  as  upon  the  Alle- 
ghany  ranges  and  Georgia  hillsides.  In  protected  situa- 
tions, it  sometimes  grows  to  a  height  of  fifteen  to  twenty 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


feet,  but  as  usually  seen,  its  proportions  are  very  much 
less.  It  has  a  slender  stem,  with  branches  in  twos  or 
threes  in  imperfect  whorls.  The  leaves  are  scattered, 
though  often  in  tufts,  from  two  to  four  inches  long,  rather 
narrow,  acute  at  each  extremity,  glossy  green,  coriaceous, 
and  continuing  during  the  winter  even  in  the  coldest  cli- 
mates. Few  or  no  plants  produce  more  lovely  blossoms, 

which  appear  in  June  and 
July,  and  in  thus  follow- 
ing the  rhododendrons  and 
most  of  the  azaleas,  are  of 
the  most  effective  service 
in  keeping  up  a  succession. 
They  are  in  terminal  heads 
on  flower  stalks  an  inch  or 
more  long.  The  color  of 
the  corolla  varies  from  a 
pure  white  to  a  rich  rose, 
with  numerous  shadings  be- 
tween the  two.  The  border 
of  the  tube  is  painted  with  a  waving,  rosy  line,  and  the  pen- 
cilling is  as  delicate  as  can  well  be  conceived.  The  wonder 
is  that  a  shrub  of  so  great  hardiness  and  such  charming 
flower  is  not  planted  much  more  largely  than  it  is.  It  is 
more  easily  grown  than  the  rhododendron  and  is  in  no- 
wise less  desirable.  It  is  suggested  that  the  difficulty  ex- 
perienced in  removing  plants  from  the  woods  to  private 
grounds,  and  the  many  failures  in  that  direction,  have 
created  the  impression  that  it  is  unusually  fickle  and  cannot 
be  depended  upon.  But,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  it  is  no  more  so 


BROAD-LEAVED    LAUREL. 
(KALMIA  LATI FOLIA.) 


Kalmia — Mountain  Laurel.  3 

than  numerous  others  of  the  best  and  most  common  plants 
in  our  gardens.  If  one  will  go  to  the  nurseryman  instead 
of  the  woods,  he  will  find  very  little  difficulty  in  this  direc- 
tion. Kalmias  properly  grown  and  trained  yield  as  kindly 
to  removal  as  do  most  other  plants,  and  can  be  handled  as 
safely.  Nicholson  pronounces  this  "  one  of  the  most 
useful,  elegant,  and  attractive  of  dwarf  flowering  shrubs." 
K.  angustifolia,  or  narrow-leaved  laurel,  is  a  low  ever- 
green plant,  usually  from  one  to  three  feet  high,  and 
is  often  found  growing  in  bunches  or  paths  in  moist  or 
low  grounds,  where  it  is  deemed  especially  undesirable  by 
the  farmer  or  herdsman  who  considers  it  poisonous  to 
calves  or  lambs.  So  common  is  this  impression  that  in 
many  sections  it  is  known  as  the  lamb-kill  or  sheep-kill 
plant.  It  is  claimed  by  some  good  authorities  that  the 
foliage  is  not  poisonous  at  all,  and  that  the  ill  effects 
ascribed  to  it  come  from  the  fact  that  the  foliage  is  quite 
indigestible,  and  thus  fatal  at  times  to  young  and  tender 
animals.  This  is  all  the  more  probable  from  the  fact  that 
we  seldom  or  never  hear  complaints  of  fatalities  in  the 
case  of  cattle  or  sheep  of  mature  years,  which,  it  is  to  be 
presumed,  feed  on  the  leaves  as  freely  as  do  their  young. 
In  this  little  shrub  the  flowers  are  in  lateral  corymbs,  and 
in  from  three  to  twelve  whorls  to  each  spike.  They  are 
purple  and  crimson,  and  appear  in  early  summer.  The 
London  Garden  says  that  K.  angustifolia  should  always 
be  planted  in  rhododendron  beds  so  as  to  keep  up  a  suc- 
cession of  flowers,  and  mentions  three  sorts  which  may 
well  be  used  for  such  a  purpose.  There  are  several  pretty 
varieties,  one  of  which,  the  nana,  makes  an  excellent  pot 


4  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

plant.  It  grows  but  six  to  eight  inches  high.  K.  glauca 
is  another  dwarf  of  from  one  to  two  feet,  having  lilac-pur- 
ple flowers,  and  leaves  with  revolute  edges,  long  and 
narrow,  green  on  the  upper  side  and  glaucous  white  be- 
neath. It  is  a  handsome  little  shrub,  and  can  be  used  to 
advantage  in  many  situations.  K.  hirsuta  is  an  extreme 
southern  species,  ranging  from  South  Virginia  to  Florida, 
and  is  said  to  be  found  also  on  the  island  of  Cuba.  The 
flowers  are  rose-colored,  and  appear  later  than  the  others. 
It  is  not  of  much  worth,  however,  for  garden  purposes. 

DEUTZIA. 

THE  deutzias  constitute  a  genus  of  the  order  Saxi- 
fragece,  and  are  mostly  natives  of  Japan  and  the 
Himalaya  Mountains,  though  it  is  believed  that 
they  are  also  indigenous  to  northern  China  and  perhaps 
other  portions  of  Asia.  None  of  the  species  is  found  in 
Europe  or  America  as  native  of  the  soil.  They  received 
their  name  in  honor  of  Johann  Deutz,  a  Dutch  naturalist, 
whose  memory  as  a  botanist  is  thereby  carried  to  succeed- 
ing generations.  Nearly  all  are  hardy  shrubs,  with  rough 
bark,  axillary  flowers,  and  leaves  mostly  ovate,  acuminate, 
serrate,  and  more  or  less  scabrous.  Though  hardy,  some 
of  the  smaller  members  of  the  group  are  suited  to  forcing 
under  glass,  by  which  process  they  are  made  to  produce 
beautiful  flowers  at  arty  season  of  the  year  desired,  and  in 
great  abundance.  When  introduced  to  Europe  they  were 
received  with  much  favor  and  were  soon  widely  dis- 
tributed, as  was  also  the  case  in  our  own  country,  where 
they  still  occupy  an  important  place  in  garden  and  park 


Deutzia. 


planting.  The  genus  is  not  large,  but  the  number  of 
varieties  is  constantly  increasing,  some  of  which  are  in 
marked  distinction  from  the  type. 

D.  crenata  is  now  described  as  the  type  from  which 
several  others,  heretofore  classed  as  distinct  species,  are 
recognized  simply  as  varieties.  It  is  a  fine  shrub  six  to 
eight  feet  high,  and  often  throwing 
up  several  stems  from  the  same  root, 
the  whole  forming  a  well-proportioned 
head  quite  as  broad  as  its  height. 
The  leaves  are  ovate-lanceolate, 
serrulate,  somewhat  rigid  or  stiff, 
and  rough  to  the  touch.  The 
flowers  are  white,  in  racemes  or 
panicles,  and  very  pretty.  It  was 
at  one  time  largely  planted,  but 
in  later  years  has  given  way  to 
some  of  its  varieties  which  have 
been  found  to  possess  all  its  good 
qualities  with  some  others  in 
addition.  D.  c.  candidissima 
plena  is  one  of  these,  of  which 
scarcely  too  much  can  be  said  in  praise.  The  white 
blossoms  are  double  and  so  numerous  that  the  bush  in 
its  flowering  season  has  the  appearance  of  a  mass  of 
small  rosettes.  D.  scabra  has  long  been  spoken  of  as 
a  species,  but  is  now  counted  as  another  variety  of  the 
crenata.  It,  too,  is  a  good  plant,  having  single  flowers, 
white  within,  and  marked  with  pink  or  purple  on  the  out- 
side of  the  calix.  D.  waterii  has  also  been  claimed  as 


DEUTZIA    CRENATA. 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


a  species,  but  is  now  generally  held  to  be  a  varietal  form. 
The  flowers  are  double,  pinkish-white,  opening  nearly  flat 
like  a  rose,  and  of  larger  size  than  in  most  of  the  other 
forms.  As  it  is  still  rare  the  full  value  of  the  shrub  in  its 
adaptations  to  various  localities  is  not  yet  determined, 
but  the  promise  is  good.  All  these  forms  are  hardy  as 
well  as  desirable. 

D.  gracilis  is  one  of  the  smallest  members  of  the  fam- 
ily, and  is  widely  known  in  cultivation.  It  usually  grows 
from  two  to  four  feet,  with  numerous  slender 
branches,  which  combine  in  the  formation  of 
a  symmetrical  and  well-rounded  head.  The 
flowers  are  small,  pure  white,  and  produced  in 
the  most  luxurious  abundance,  ranging  along 
the  whole  length  of  the  stems,  and  giving  the 
low  bush  much  the  appearance  of  a  large  bou- 
quet. They  appear  in  May  or  early  June, 
leading  in  this  respect  most  members  of  the 
family.  There  are  few  plants  better  adapted 
to  forcing  in  pots,  under  glass,  or  even  in  a 
well-warmed  and  light  cellar.  For  growing  in 
small  grounds  or  fitting  into  vacancies  among 
larger  specimens  these  low  shrubs  serve  a  most 
valuable  purpose.  They  require  but  little 
space,  and  need  only  to  be  cut  back  to  pre- 
serve a  well-balanced  head.  The  plant  is  a 
native  of  Japan. 
D.  parviflora. — This  is  as  yet  so  little  known  as  to  be 
still  classed  among  the  novelties.  It  is  a  native  of  north- 
ern China,  and  was  carried  from  the  valley  of  the  Amoor 


DEUTZIA  GRA- 
CILIS. 


Deutzia.  7 

to  the  Imperial  Botanic  Garden  of  St.  Petersburg,  from 
which  point  it  has,  within  a  few  years,  been  distributed 
throughout  Europe  and  America.  It  grows  in  clumps, 
consisting  of  numerous  erect  stems  or  branches  from  four 
to  six  feet  in  length,  which  are  clothed  with  dark  green 
leaves,  lanceolate,  toothed,  somewhat  wrinkled,  and  of 
good  substance.  The  flowers  are  creamy-white,  com- 
posed of  five  petals,  and  without  any  splashes  of  color,  the 
bunches  somewhat  resembling  in  size  and  arrangement 
those  of  the  lilac.  They  appear  a  week  or  two  before 
those  of  D.  gracilis,  which  has  heretofore  been  supposed 
to  be  the  earliest  as  well  as  most  floriferous  of  all  the 
deutzias,  and  about  a  month  in  advance  of  most  other 
varieties. 

D.  lemoinei  is  a  hybrid  between  the  gracilis  and  the 
parviflora,  and  was  brought  out  by  Monsieur  Lemoine, 
the  noted  hybridist,  who  has  done  so  much  to  add  to  the 
pleasures  of  horticulture  and  the  brilliancy  of  our  gardens. 
The  plant  is  described  as  having  stouter  and  more  up- 
right branches  than  the  gracilis,  and  shorter  and  more 
numerous  than  those  of  the  parviflora.  The  blossoms  are 
about  three  quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  are  borne 
in  loose,  many-flowered  terminal  panicles  on  axillary  leafy 
shoots,  with  pure  white,  broadly  ovate-rounded,  spreading 
petals  and  reddish-yellow  stamens.  This  is  believed  to 
be  an  improvement  on  the  almost  universally  popular 
D.  gracilis,  and  destined  to  largely  supersede  it  as  it 
becomes  better  known. 

D.  discolor,  van  purpurascens,  is,  perhaps,  the  latest 
hopeful  introduction  among  the  deutzias  to  our  country. 


8 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


According  to  Garden  and  Forest  the  seeds  of  this  plant 
were  sent  to  the  museum  in  Paris  in  1888,  by  a  French 
missionary  who  had  discovered  it  in  the  Chinese  province 
of  Yun-nan.  A  specimen  was  secured  by  the  Arnold 


DEUTZIA-PRIDE   OF    ROCHESTER. 


Arboretum  at  Cambridge,  where  it  has  flowered  two  or 
three  years.  It  is  described  as  "  a  shrub  of  neat,  compact 
habit,  two  or  three  feet  tall,  with  slender  stems,  thin,  ovate 
leaves  scabrous  on  the  upper  surface,  and  compact  panicles 
of  pale  pink  flowers."  It  is  not  yet  known  that  it  will 
endure  our  northern  winters.  The  place  of  its  nativity 


Clethra — Sweet  Pepper-Bush.  9 

has  a  semi-tropical  climate,  and  whether  suited  to  New 
England  and  the  Northwest  or  not,  there  appears  to 
be  little  doubt  that  it  will  thrive  in  the  southern  and 
southwestern  States,  and  prove  a  valuable  acquisition. 

One  of  the  best  of  the  older  varieties,  known  as  the 
Pride  of  Rochester,  was  originated  and  sent  out  by  the 
well-known  firm  of  nurserymen,  Messrs.  Ellwanger  and 
Barry,  as  an  offshoot  of  D.  crenata  flore  pleno.  Though 
but  a  comparatively  recent  introduction,  its  merits  are 
such  that  it  has  already  become  widely  and  highly  appre- 
ciated. It  carries  large,  double,  white  flowers,  some  parts 
of  the  petals  being  slightly  tinted  with  scarlet  or  rose,  and 
is  said  to  excel  all  the  older  sorts  in  size  of  flower,  length 
of  panicle,  profuseness  of  bloom,  and  vigorous  habit.  It 
comes  into  flower  soon  after  \hegracilis  and  a  week  or  two 
in  advance  of  most  of  the  other  forms  of  deutzia. 

CLETHRA— Sweet  Pepper-Bush. 

THE  clethras  are  highly  ornamental  shrubs,  though 
until  quite  recently  they  have  not  received  the 
attention  which  their  merits  demand.  So  far  as 
known,  they  are  all  American  plants,  and  most  of  them 
suitable  for  use  in  our  best  gardens,  where  they  are  now 
becoming  better  known  and  more  largely  planted  than 
heretofore.  The  species  capable  of  the  best  service  in  the 
northern  States  and  Canada  is  C.  alnifolia,  a  small  shrub 
two  to  four  feet  high,  but  in  cultivation  sometimes  reach- 
ing double  those  proportions.  It  is  often  found  in  masses, 
growing  in  low  or  wet  places,  or  along  the  banks  of 
streams,  and  sometimes  in  swamps,  where  the  roots  are 


10 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


submerged  in  early  spring  or  after  heavy  rains.  But  it  is 
known  that  the  plant  does  equally  well,  even  if  not  better, 
in  garden  soils  such  as  are  suitable  to  the  rhododendrons 
and  other  peat-loving  plants.  It  grows  with  a  slender, 


CLETHRA   ALNIFOLIA. 


straight  stem,  not  much  branched,  the  bark  being  at  first 
light  green  and  downy,  but  afterward  becoming  a  dark 
purple  and  often  striped  with  gray.  The  leaves  are  in- 
versely egg-shaped  and  slightly  pubescent,  while  the  blos- 
soms are  borne  in  terminal  racemes  and  from  the  axils  of 
the  upper  leaves  and  side  shoots.  They  are  large,  white, 
and  very  showy,  and  when  present  in  masses  never  fail  to 


Clethra — Sweet  Pepper-Bush.  n 

attract  attention.  The  racemes,  which  stand  erect  above 
the  bright,  glossy  leaves,  begin  to  open  in  July  and  con- 
tinue until  October,  thus  supplying  the  dullest  period  of 
the  summer,  so  far  as  hardy  shrubs  are  concerned,  with 
abundant  blossoms  of  the  highest  value.  They  are  withal 
exceedingly  sweet-scented,  giving  forth  an  odor  not  at  all 
disagreeable,  but  such  as  makes  the  plant  popularly  known 
as  the  sweet  pepper-bush.  It  does  well  in  half-shady 
situations,  and  cannot  be  too  highly  praised  for  use  in 
landscape  work,  whether  grown  in  masses  or  as  single 
specimens. 

C.  acuminata  is  also  a  native  of  the  United  States, 
and  is  often  seen  growing  on  the  mountains  of  North 
Carolina  and  other  similar  locations,  where  it  usually 
appears  as  a  small  shrub  of  from  four  to  six  feet.  It  is 
not  much  known  to  cultivation  in  this  country,  though 
planted  in  English  gardens  and  on  the  continent,  where 
it  is  quite  a  favorite.  It  is  there  spoken  of  as  a  plant 
growing  in  tree  form,  and  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high. 
The  leaves  are  more  oval  than  those  of  the  preceding,  and 
more  sharply  pointed,  having  a  bluish  cast  above  and  be- 
ing slightly  glaucous  beneath.  The  flower  spikes  are  large 
and  conspicuous,  though  not  superior  to  those  of  alnifolia. 
C.  paniculata  is  also  a  good  plant,  but  in  nowise  superior 
to  those  already  described,  the  chief  distinction  being  in 
the  form  of  the  flowers,  which  are  gathered  in  panicles 
not  quite  so  compact,  and  slight  differences  in  the  shape 
of  the  leaves.  C.  arborea  is  a  more  tender  species,  and 
has  been  long  grown  in  English  greenhouses,  though  it 
usually  thrives  when  planted  outside,  if  afforded  ample 


12  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

protection.  As  it,  too,  is  indigenous  to  the  Carolinas,  it 
is  altogether  probable  that  it  would  be  a  popular  open- 
garden  plant  farther  south,  and  it  is  possibly  already  more 
or  less  in  use  in  that  section.  It  is  said  it  has  the  disad- 
vantage of  requiring  considerable  age  before  coming  to 
perfection  as  a  flowering  plant.  But,  like  all  the  others, 
it  blooms  nearly  all  summer.  There  are  other  tender 
sorts,  some  of  which  are  prized  for  cultivation  under  glass, 
but  none  superior  to  those  already  named. 

CALYCANTHUS. 

THE  members  of  the  calycanthus  family  constitute 
a  small  genus  of  North  American  plants,  mostly 
confined  to  the  United  States,  where  in  their 
native  haunts  they  are  popularly  known  as  Carolina  all- 
spice from  the  fragrance  of  their  flowers  as  well  as  of  their 
foliage.  Indeed  the  whole  shrub  emits  a  spicy  perfume 
somewhat  resembling  camphor,  including  the  stem  and 
more  especially  the  smaller  branches  when  bruised  or 
broken.  They  are  more  frequently  found  along  the  shady 
banks  of  streams  where  there  is  plenty  of  moisture,  and 
in  situations  protected  from  severe  winds,  but  prove  suf- 
ficiently robust  to  maintain  themselves  in  all  parts  of  the 
temperate  zones  ;  though  varying  in  size  and  attractiveness 
according  to  the  positions  occupied.  They  are  all  interest- 
ing plants  and  worthy  a  place  in  every  considerable 
collection  of  shrubs  and  trees.  As  under-shrubs  they 
do  good  service  whether  planted  singly  or  in  masses. 

C.floridus. — This  is  the  longest-  and  best-known  species 
and  was  described  by  Loudon  in  his  copious  notes  on  the 


Calycanthus.  13 

American  sylva.  It  was  introduced  to  English  gardens  as 
early  as  1826,  where  it  has  since  held  its  own  and  is  still  a 
favorite.  The  plant  forms  a  small  compact  bush  four  to 
six  feet  in  height,  though  it  is  oc- 
casionally  much  taller.  The  foliage 
is  composed  of  oblong-shaped 
leaves,  deep  green,  inclined  to  be 
coriaceous,  and  slightly  downy. 
The  blossoms  are  deep  blue  shad- 
ing to  purple,  one  and  a  half  inches 
across,  with  petals  somewhat  fleshy. 
They  appear  early  in  spring,  remain 
well  into  summer,  and  are  quite 
numerous.  Their  long  continu- 
ance is  very  much  in  their  favor. 

.  SWEET-SCENTED  SHRUB. 

Taken     all    in     all,     thlS    Calycanthus  (CALYCANTHUS  FLORIDUS.) 

may  be  accepted  as  one  of  the  best  of  our  native  shrubs. 
C.  glaucus  is,  it  may  be,  a  less  valuable  plant,  but  is 
possessed  of  some  interesting  features  that  are  worthy  of 
notice.  It  is  not  so  strongly  impregnated  with  the  peculiar 
odor  referred  to  when  its  leaves  or  branches  are  bruised  or 
crushed,  but  it  is  still  fragrant  to  a  remarkable  degree. 
The  flowers  are  much  the  same,  lurid  blue,  and  of  equally 
long  continuance.  The  leaves  are  longer,  more  sharply 
pointed,  and  with  more  marked  pubescence.  C.  Iczvigatus 
is  found  growing  freely  on  some  of  the  Pennsylvania 
mountains,  with  taper-pointed  leaves,  bright  green  and 
glabrous.  The  flowers  are  intense  purple  and  quite  showy. 
Each  of  these  has  given  off  varieties  more  or  less  distinct, 
but  scarcely  of  increased  value. 


14  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

C.  occidentalis  is  a  native  of  the  Pacific  coast,  and 
more  especially  of  California,  where  it  grows  to  a  greater 
size  than  either  of  the  preceding  and  is  often  found 
nearly  or  quite  twelve  feet  high.  It  is  there  known  as  the 
sweet-scented  shrub,  as  in  fragrance  it  is  much  the  same 
as  C.  floridus.  The  foliage  is  composed  of  larger  leaves, 
and  the  flowers  are  also  of  greater  proportions,  being  some 
three  inches  in  diameter  and  of  a  deep  crimson  color.  It 
proves  the  most  showy  of  all  the  species  and  a  most 
desirable  plant  for  garden  use. 

EXOCHORDA— Pearl  Bush. 

r  i  ^HIS  is  a  genus  of  but  a  few  species  belonging  to 
I         the  Rosacece  and  closely  related  to  the  spiraeas.     It 
Jl         is  a  native  of  China  and  has  long  been  known, 
though  not  brought  into  general  cultivation  until  more  re- 
cently.    Its  popular  name  comes  from  the  fact  that  it  is  a 
free  bloomer,  the  flowers  being  pearly-white,  and  covering 
the  entire  bush.     It  endures  the  New 
England  climate,  though  in  the  North 
it  usually  grows  but  eight  or  ten  feet, 
while  in  the  South  it  often  becomes 
a  shrub  or  tree  of  twice  these  propor- 
tions.    Most  of  the  specimens  to  be 
found  in  parks  and  gardens  do  not  ap- 
pear at  their  best,  except  in  the  flower- 
ing season,  as  they  are  permitted  to 

EXOCHORDA  GRANDIFLORA.  * 

grow  without  proper  pruning.  The 
exochorda  is  not  seen  to  advantage  when  out  of  bloom,  un- 
less it  is  kept  in  the  form  of  a  compact  bush.  Left  to  itself 


Sambucus — The  Elder.  15 

it  inclines  to  naked  stems  and  branches  and  such  as  are  by 
no  means  graceful.  In  fact,  as  ordinarily  grown,  its  beauty 
consists  only  in  the  numerous  large  white  flowers  in  April  or 
May  ;  and  these  are  not  of  long  continuance.  It  has  cer- 
tainly been  overpraised  in  some  of  the  catalogues,  but  is  well 
worthy  a  place  in  the  border  or  shrubbery.  It  has  been 
suggested  that  lower  and  more  bushy  plants  be  grown  in 
front  and  around  it  to  hide  its  faults,  while  securing  the 
full  benefit  of  its  blossoms,  which  alone  make  it  worthy  of 
planting. 

SAMBUCUS— The  Elder. 

TH  E  elders  are  closely  related  to  the  viburnums  and 
honeysuckles,  which  are  among  the  most  useful 
and  attractive  ornamental  plants.     There  are  not 
far  from  twenty  species  belonging  to  the  family,  and  some 
of   them  have  done  and  are  still  doing  good  service  to 
mankind  as  useful  plants,  while  a  few,  especially  of  the 
varieties,  are  exceedingly  beautiful  in  leaf  and  blossom. 

6".  nigra,  or  black  elder,  is  a  native  of  Britain,  and  is 
found  growing  freely  all  over  the  continent,  where  its  fruit 
has  long  been  much  used  in  the  manufacture  of  wines  and 
the  preparation  of  medicines,  and  sometimes  as  an  article 
of  food.  The  regard  which  was  had  for  this  shrub  was 
well  expressed  by  Evelyn  when  he  wrote :  "  If  the 
medicinal  properties  of  the  leaves,  bark,  berries,  etc., 
were  thoroughly  known,  I  cannot  tell  what  our  country- 
men would  ail  for  which  he  might  not  fetch  a  remedy 
from  every  hedge,  either  for  sickness  or  wound."  This 
high  estimate  of  its  virtues  may  not  have  continued  to 


i6 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


our  own  times,  but  the  good  qualities  are  still  recognized 
in  many  directions.  In  extreme  cases  the  European  el- 
der grows  to  a  height  of  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  feet, 
with  a  well-rounded,  bushy  head  half  as  broad.  The 
flowers  are  small,  white,  and  in  flat  cymes  five  or  six  inches 
across,  followed  by  small,  black,  berry-like  fruit,  in  great 
abundance. 

There  are  several  varieties  of  this  species  which  are 
especially  ornamental  in  European  as  well  as  in  American 

gardens.  One  of  these,  6".  n. 
aurea,  golden  elder,  is  one 
of  the  very  best  yellow-foli- 
age plants  in  use  for  decora- 
tive purposes.  The  color  is 
solid  and  far  more  perma- 
nent than  with  many  others 
which  start  out  well  and 
then  fade  away.  For  best 
effects  it  must  occupy  a 
sunny  position,  and  be  well 
pinched  back,  so  as  to  com- 
pel a  dwarfish  habit.  Thus 
planted  and  maintained,  when  grown  in  masses  it  is  un- 
excelled. Another  sort,  S.  n.  laciniata,  or  parsley-leaved 
elder,  has  its  leaflets  curiously  and  finely  cut  into  segments, 
which  retain  their  natural  color,  and  produce  a  good 
effect.  It,  too,  is  a  fine  shrub  for  massing  or  edging.  S.  n. 
variegata  has  its  foliage  in  the  typical  formj  but  marked 
with  white,  the  contrasts  being  so  sharp  as  to  render  the 
plant  a  decided  curiosity  as  well  as  a  thing  of  beauty. 


CUT-LEAVED    ELDER. 


Sambucus — The  Elder.  17 

There  are  several  other  well-known  varieties,  but  their 
merits  as  ornamental  shrubs  are  inferior  to  those  already 
named. 

6*.  canadensis  is  the  well-known  common  elder  of 
America,  found  everywhere  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf 
States,  growing  preferably  in  moist  locations,  but  making 
itself  quite  at  home  in  the  fence  corners  and  by  the  road- 
side, wherever  given  a  chance  to  grow.  Its  pithy  stems, 
well  bunched,  are  from  five  to  ten  feet  high,  having 
compound  leaves  with  from  five  to  eleven  leaflets,  mostly 
smooth  and  three-parted.  The  flowers  are  white,  gathered 
in  flat  cymes,  and  succeeded  by  dark  purple  or  black  fruit, 
which  is  often  used  in  the  manufacture  of  domestic  wine, 
for  which  it  has  especial  adaptations,  and  occasionally  for 
making  tarts  and  pies  where  more  desirable  berries  are  not 
to  be  obtained.  This  species  appears  to  have  a  wider 
range  southward  than  most  of  the  members  of  the  tribe. 
S.  racemosa,  another  American  species,  runs  wild  over  a 
large  extent  of  country,  having  red  berries  instead  of 
purple,  but  not  differing  essentially  otherwise  from  the 
preceding. 

The  value  of  the  elder  as  a  seaside  plant  can  scarcely 
be  overestimated,  both  as  a  nurse  tree  and  because  of  its 
own  merits  as  very  ornamental.  Says  an  English  writer : 
"  Isolated  specimens  of  it  may  be  seen  far  out  on  the 
dreary  stretches  of  ever-shifting  sand,  and  looking  as 
healthy  and  robust  as  we  find  them  in  their  favored  locality 
—a  damp,  shady  wood.  There  is  not  much  beauty,  some 
will  say,  about  the  elder,  though  I  hold  a  different  opinion  ; 
but  beauty  alone,  it  should  be  kept  in  mind,  is  not  what 


i8  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

we  are  at  present  in  quest  of ;  rather  a  tree  or  shrub  that 
can  stand  the  first  brunt  of  a  sea  storm,  and  by  so  doing 
afford  shelter  to  less  favored  kinds.  Whenever  a  seaside 
garden  is  to  be  formed,  lift  a  few  plants  of  an  elder  from 
some  waste  or  common,  and  plant  them — in  pure  sand,  if 
you  like — on  the  outer  margin  of  the  sea  screen,  and  in  a 
short  time  a  capital  shelter  for  other  choice  things  will  be 
formed." 

PAULOWNIA. 

THE  Paulownia  imperialis  is  a  Japanese  tree  of 
striking  appearance  and  with  many  peculiarities. 
It  was  named  by  Europeans,  on  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  it,  in  honor  of  Anna  Paulowna,  Princess  of 
the  Netherlands  and  daughter  of  Paul  I.,  Emperor  of 
Russia.  It  is  said  that  in  its  native  country  it  grows  to  a 
height  of  thirty  feet,  but  it  is  not  often  seen  in  such  pro- 
portions in  either  Europe  or  America.  When  first  brought 
to  France  the  tropical  appearance  of  its  foliage  led  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  must  be  an  exceedingly  tender  sort,  and 
so  in  the  famous  Garden  of  Plants  in  Paris  it  was  treated 
as  a  greenhouse  shrub.  But  it  was  not  long  before  it 
proved  itself  sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand  the  winters- 
of  that  locality.  It  was  then  regarded  as  a  great  acquisi- 
tion, and  young  plants  were  sold  in  the  English  markets 
at  high  prices,  ranging  from  three  to  six  guineas  each. 
But  these  figures  did  not  rule  long,  for  it  was  soon  as- 
certained that  the  newcomer  was  not  only  hardy,  but  of 
the  easiest  possible  propagation.  It  can  be  grown  not 
only  from  seed  and  from  cuttings,  but  by  a  division  of  the 


Paulownia.  19 

roots,  small  pieces  of  which  will  produce  vigorous  plants 
the  first  season.     Even  the  buds  will  grow,  like  those  of 


PAULOWNIA    IMPERIALIS. 


the  mulberry,  if  taken  off  in  the  spring  and  planted  in  a 
hotbed  or  under  a  hand-glass. 

Few  plants  are  of  more  rapid  growth,  the  young  shoots 


20  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

often  reaching  eight  feet  the  first  season.  These  are 
covered  with  immense  foliage,  the  individual  leaves  being 
somewhat  heart-shaped  and  a  foot  and  a  half  broad  by 
two  feet  long. 

Though  the  paulownia  does  fairly  well  in  New  England 
and  New  York,  it  should  be  planted  there  only  in  protected 
situations,  for  its  top  is  too  large  to  withstand  severe  wind- 
storms. The  tree  is  more  especially  adapted  to  a  warmer 
climate,  and  should  be  entirely  at  home  in  the  Southern 
States.  Says  an  English  writer  in  one  of  the  magazines  : 
"  To  see  the  paulownia  to  perfection  in  Europe  one  must  go 
to  the  sunny  South,  and  I  have  a  pleasing  recollection  of 
the  magnificent  avenues  I  saw  of  it  in  full  flower  at  the  end 
of  April  in  the  gardens  of  the  Villa  Borghese  and  the 
Pincian  Hill  in  Rome,  where  the  climate  exactly  suits  it." 
It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  may  be  grown  as  a  tree 
or  a  shrub,  as  when  it  is  cut  back  from  year  to  year  it  sends 
up  numerous  vigorous  shoots,  and  as  few  or  as  many  may 
be  preserved  as  are  desired,  and  they  are  never  more 
beautiful  than  during  the  first  season's  growth. 

Except  for  their  size,  the  leaves  very  much  resemble 
those  of  the  Catalpa  speciosa,  but  are  of  a  darker  green  and 
better  substance.  It  is  for  the  foliage  more  than  the  flower 
that  the  tree  is  prized  by  those  who  best  know  its  worth. 
On  older  trees  the  leaves  are  usually  smaller,  and  so  less 
beautiful.  For  two  reasons  the  tree  to  be  at  its  best  must 
be  sharply  cut  back  every  season — one  the  preservation  of 
good  form,  and  the  other  of  good  foliage.  An  old  and  mis- 
shapen paulownia  with  distorted  and  bare  limbs  is  like  a 
plague  spot  in  any  garden,  and  those  who  are  accustomed 


Myrica.  21 

to  see  it  in  that  shape  will  certainly  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  tree  has  been  and  is  still  much  overpraised.  There 
is  scarcely  room  for  carrying  this  pruning  process  too  far ; 
for  if  the  last  year's  wood  is  cut  to  the  ground  in  early 
spring,  new  shoots  will  put  forth  and  soon  reach  six  to 
ten  feet,  and  thus  become  a  thing  of  beauty  scarcely 
equalled  on  the  lawn  or  in  the  border.  When  wished, 
the  trunk  may  be  pollarded,  and  thus  the  head  carried 
as  much  higher  as  desired.  The  individual  flowers  are 
about  one  and  a  half  to  two  inches  long,  violet-purple, 
with  dark  spots  inside,  and  in  terminal  panicles  of  great 
size.  While  not  especially  beautiful,  these  never  fail  to 
attract  attention.  They  appear  in  June,  and  are  followed 
by  abundant  fruit. 

MYRICA. 

THOUGH  this  is  not  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of 
American  shrubs,  it  is  for  some  purposes  and  in 
some  situations  one  of  the  most  useful.  The 
family  is  a  large  one,  though  only  a  few  species  are  known 
in  America.  They  grow  in  all  sorts  of  soil  and  far  to  the 
north,  often  taking  possession  of  the  hillsides  and  sandy 
plains,  and  so  fully  occupying  the  ground  as  to  be  regarded 
a  nuisance,  especially  if  the  land  is  wanted  for  something 
else.  There  is  a  common  saying  that  the  roots  extend  as 
deeply  into  the  ground  as  the  stems  and  branches  do  into 
the  air.  However  this  may  be,  they  evidently  come  to 
stay,  and  in  their  tenacity  and  indifference  to  situation  is 
found  one  of  their  virtues  when  they  come  to  be  utilized 
as  garden  plants.  The  best  of  these,  as  well  as  the  most 


22  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

common,  is  M.  cerifera.  It  varies  in  height  from  one  to 
four  feet,  but  responds  quickly  when  afforded  the  advan- 
tages of  cultivation  and  the  use  of  fertilizers.  The  plant 
may  be  recognized  at  the  proper  season  by  its  bluish 
waxen  fruit,  found  in  the  axils  of  the  stems  and  along  the 
branches,  which  to  some  extent  affords  an  article  of  com- 
merce in  the  form  of  a  valuable  wax.  This  little  shrub 
when  planted  along  the  shore  withstands  the  ocean  winds 
and  storms  perhaps  better  than  any  other  plant  known  in 
cultivation,  and  can  be  made  to  do  good  service  in  estab- 
lishing plantations  by  the  seaside.  It  is  now  coming 
largely  into  use  for  that  purpose,  as  it  affords  protection 
to  more  attractive  specimens  which  may  be  planted  to  the 
leeward.  Beginning  with  a  hedge  of  these  myricas,  planta- 
tions may  often  be  established  where  without  something 
of  this  nature  the  task  would  be  hopeless.  Almost  any 
bleak  and  barren  exposure  can  be  covered  in  this  way  and 
become  comparatively  beautiful.  With  this  line  of  de- 
fence other  shrubs  and  flowers  may  be  introduced  and 
made  to  thrive  where  without  such  protection  nothing 
desirable  could  be  made  to  grow.  Thus  the  wax-myrtle, 
in  itself  unattractive  and  undesirable,  is  made  of  especial 
service  in  the  planting  of  exposed  estates.  In  the  Royal 
Palm  nurseries  located  forty  miles  south  of  Tampa  it  is 
included  among  the  native  plants  of  that  section,  and 
described  as  an  evergreen  producing  "  slate-colored  ber- 
ries," and  pronounced  hardy  throughout  the  entire  South. 
Such  being  the  case,  the  myricas  will  doubtless  be  found  of 
service  as  nurse  trees,  or  shrubs,  on  sandy  and  bleak  bar- 
rens, against  tropical  exposures  as  well  as  northern  blasts. 


24  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

M.  asplenifolia,  commonly  known  as  the  sweet-fern, 
also  thrives  in  poor  soils  and  is  a  good  seaside  plant.  It 
has  fern-like  foliage,  more  attractive  than  that  of  the  ceri- 
fera,  while  its  flowers,  which  are  freely  produced,  are  really 
beautiful.  It  grows  about  three  feet  high  and  is  coming 
to  be  planted  for  its  own  sake  in  the  ordinary  garden. 
M.  gale  is  another  form  with  cut-leaved  foliage  which  is 
fragrant.  It  rises  about  three  or  four  feet  and  helps  cover 
many  a  New  England  hillside  with  verdure. 

AZALEA. 

THE  azaleas  are  among  the  most  beautiful  and  in- 
teresting of  all  our  flowering  plants.     They  have 
been  long  known  in  the   Old  World,  and  have 
always  been  objects  of  admiration.     The  genus  belongs 
to  the  natural  order  Ericace<z,  and  in  many  of  its  char- 
acteristics is  allied  to  the  rhododendrons,  though  mostly 
having  deciduous  leaves,   and  flowers  with  five  stamens 
instead  of  ten.     There  are  numerous  species  and  varie- 
ties,   some    hardy    and   others    suited    only    to   hothouse 
culture. 

A.  pontica  has  been,  perhaps,  longer  known  to  civil- 
ization than  any  other,  and  it  is  certainly  one  of  the  most 
attractive  of  the  family.  Its  native  habitat  appears  to 
have  been  in  the  countries  about  the  Black  Sea  and  along 
the  northern  shores  of  the  Mediterranean.  In  later  years 
it  has  been  carried  to  all  parts  of  Europe,  and  largely 
cultivated  wherever  the  climate  will  allow.  The  plants 
grow  from  three  to  five  feet,  often  presenting  a  broad, 
round  head,  with  large,  oblong,  glossy  leaves,  and  masses 


Azalea.  25 

of  blossoms,  with  which  the  branches  are  so  completely 
covered  as  to  be  almost  hidden  from  sight.  The  flowers 
are  somewhat  funnel-shaped,  with  long  stamens,  and 
among  the  numerous  varieties  are  flowers  of  many  colors. 
They  are  very  fragrant,  appearing  in  May  or  early  June. 
Unfortunately,  the  species  is  not  entirely  hardy,  and  in 
many  situations  needs  winter  protection.  Almost  every 
part  of  the  plant  is  narcotic,  and  to  some  degree  poison- 
ous. Honey  gathered  from  its  flowers  is  known  to  produce 
stupefaction  in  the  bees  that  gather  it,  and  sometimes 
death.  It  is  believed  to  have  been  such  honey  that 
caused  the  delirium  among  the  soldiers  of  Xenophon's 
army,  and  compelled  the  famous  retreat  that  has  figured 
so  prominently  in  ancient  history. 

A.  indica  is  indigenous  to  the  East  Indies,  and  is 
common  to  China  and  Japan.  Since  its  introduction  to 
Europe  and  America  it  has  been  largely  grown  under 
glass,  as  it  is  too  tender  for  our  northern  winters,  though  it 
may  do  well  in  the  South.  The  flowers  are  mostly  soli- 
tary, and  always  very  beautiful.  Its  chief  value  to  us  in 
open-air  cultivation  has  been  the  impartation  of  its  splen- 
did colors  to  the  varieties  produced  by  crossing  with 
hardier  sorts,  and  there  are  enough  such  hybrids  to  meet 
all  the  requirements  in  this  direction. 

A.  mollis  is  a  somewhat  recent  introduction  from 
Japan,  which  has  been  received  with  much  favor.  It 
proves  to  be  adapted  to  forcing  under  glass,  but,  as  it  is 
hardy,  its  chief  cultivation  is  in  the  open  air.  It  is  of 
low,  spreading  growth,  so  that  its  diameter  is  often 
greater  than  its  height.  It  is  sometimes  grafted  so  as  to 


26 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


appear  in  tree  form,  thus  affording  a  round,  well-shaped 

head  on  an  upright  stem,  at  such  height  as  may  be  de- 
sired. With  the  Japanese  it  is  said 
to  be  the  favorite  among  azaleas, 
and  is  largely  grown.  It  rises  to  a 
height  of  three  to  four  feet,  having 
deciduous  leaves,  elliptic  in  form, 
with  ciliated  margins,  green  above 
and  almost  silvery-gray  beneath. 
The  flowers  of  the  type  are  cam- 
panulate,  somewhat  downy,  and 
flame-colored.  But  some  of  the 
varieties  produced  from  seedlings 
and  by  hybridization  furnish  gor- 
geous blossoms  of  white,  yellow, 
and  orange,  each  in  some  cases 
more  or  less  tinted.  They  appear 

early  and,  being  large,  are  very  showy.     The  A.  mollis 

needs  only  to  be  known  to 

be  appreciated  as  among  the 

best  of  the  class. 

A.  nudiflora,   known  as 

the  wood-honeysuckle,  is  an 

excellent     little    shrub    for 

planting  in  the  border  or  in 

groups.      It  is  of  American 

origin,  and  is  quite  common 

in  most  parts  of  the  United 

States.      In  some  respects  it 

resembles  the  pontica  and  its  hybrids,  but  is  quite  inferior 


AZALEA    MOLLIS. 


AZALEA   NUDIFLORA. 


Azalea.  27 

in  brilliancy  and  tone.  Its  numerous  flowers  are  large 
and  very  showy,  presenting  a  beautiful  appearance  in 
early  spring.  The  shrub  is  taller  than  the  preceding  and 
much  more  hardy,  as  it  endures  the  climate  as  far  north 
as  Canada.  It  grows  well  in  any  good  soil,  and  needs 
but  little  care.  The  flowers  are  light  pink,  and  appear 
about  the  middle  of  May.  The  shrub  grows  to  a  height 
of  six  to  ten  feet. 

A.  calendulacea  is  a  native  of  the  high  mountains  of 
North  Carolina  and  other  Southern  States,  where  it  often 
grows  in  such  profusion  as  to  make  the  mountainsides 
appear,  from  a  little  distance,  as  though  covered  with  a  robe 
of  scarlet.  It  is  of  larger  growth  than  most  other  species, 
either  native  or  foreign,  and  has  the  peculiarity  of  blossom- 
ing late  in  the  summer,  after  all  the  others  have  ceased  to 
show  color.  It  is  popularly  known,  from  the  gorgeousness 
of  its  hues,  as  the  great  flame  azalea — a  name  not  at 
all  inappropriate,  in  view  of  its  crowded  mass  of  scarlet 
blossoms.  Many  regard  it  as  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the 
native  American  plants,  and  not  wholly  without  reason. 
In  England  and  continental  Europe  it  awakened  great 
enthusiasm  when  first  introduced,  and  it  is  still  regarded 
as  one  of  the  very  best  of  the  flowering  shrubs. 

A.  arbor escens,  or  the  tree-like  azalea,  grows  from  twelve 
to  twenty  feet  high,  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  largest 
member  of  the  family.  It  also  is  of  American  origin,  and  pro- 
duces reddish  flowers,  in  themselves  attractive  but  less  bril- 
liant than  those  of  most  of  the  species  already  mentioned. 
It  is,  however,  worthy  of  cultivation  in  the  border,  which 
it  greatly  helps  to  enliven  with  color  in  early  springtime. 


28  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

A.  viscosa  is  another  native  species,  popularly  known 
as  the  swamp-honeysuckle,  or  the  pinxter,  having  highly 
fragrant,  white,  clammy  flowers.  It  is  too  familiar 
to  need  detailed  description,  and,  though  not  equal  to 
many  of  the  others,  is  in  itself  an  interesting  shrub.  A 
variety  designated  as  A.  v.  nitida  has  its  white  flowers 
tinged  with  red,  and  is  worthy  of  cultivation.  It  is  smaller 
than  the  type,  and,  like  it,  is  found  mostly  in  swamps, 
though  thriving  in  any  good  garden  soil. 

The  so-called  Ghent  azaleas  are  probably  now  in  more 
general  cultivation  than  any  others.  They  are  hybrids  of 

the  pontica  and  indica 
with  A.  calendulacea, 
and  perhaps  other 
hardy  species,  and  so 
combine  the  beauty  of 
the  one  type  with  the 
strength  and  vigor  of 
the  other.  This  work 
of  crossing  has  been  car- 
ried on  to  such  an  ex- 
tent and  with  such  skill 
that  a  new  class  has  been 

HYBRID    AZALEA. 

established  of  the  most 

beautiful  plants  to  be  found  in  the  gardens  of  the  world. 
Most  of  them  are  perfectly  hardy,  and  are  grown  in  the 
vicinity  of  Boston  and  Chicago,  without  especial  protection 
from  the  hot  sun  in  summer  or  the  intense  cold  of  winter. 
Of  course  those  offered  in  the  market  are  grafted  or 
budded,  and  the  varieties  are  so  many  that  it  is  impracti- 


Azalea.  29 

cable  to  describe  them,  and  the  more  so  as  new  forms  are 
constantly  appearing.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  name  some 
of  the  most  desirable  sorts,  indicating  their  colors  and 
such  other  peculiarities  as  may  be  of  importance  :  Admiral 
de  Ruyten,  dark  rose  ;  Alba  Lutea  Grandiflora,  large,  white 
and  yellow ;  Amabilis,  rose-orange ;  Aurantiaca,  orange 
scarlet ;  Aurore  de  Royghem,  large,  orange  and  pink ; 
Bicolor,  orange-yellow  and  white ;  Bouquet  de  Flore, 
pink  and  white ;  Bronze  Unique,  dark  rose,  orange ; 
Comble  de  Gloire,  fine,  rose,  light  orange ;  Concinna,  dark 
orange ;  Conspicua  Grandiflora,  rose-orange ;  Cruenta, 
fine,  scarlet ;  Cymodocee,  scarlet-crimson  ;  Dr.  Gray,  Flush- 
ing seedling,  large,  scarlet-orange  ;  Emilie,  splendid  dark 
crimson  ;  Flushing  Queen,  Flushing  seedling,  deep  salmon  ; 
Gloria  Mundi,  scarlet-orange  ;  Grand  Due  de  Luxemburg, 
fine,  rose  and  orange  ;  Jules  Caesar,  dark  rose  and  orange ; 
La  Superba,  rose-orange;  L' Interessante,  rose-orange; 
Macrantha,  large,  yellow ;  Mirabilis,  rose-pink ;  Ne  Plus 
Ultra,  extra,  orange  ;  Othello,  splendid,  rose ;  Penicellata 
Stellata,  straw  and  salmon,  late ;  Plumosa,  light  pink-orange, 
early ;  Punicea,  crimson-scarlet ;  Quadricolor,  light  rose 
and  yellow ;  Reine  des  Pays-Bas,  extra,  crimson-scarlet ; 
Richardii,  light  pink  and  yellow ;  Rosea  Rotundifolia, 
large,  rose-orange  ;  Triomphans,  buff,  rose  and  orange  ; 
Vandyck,  dark  crimson  and  scarlet ;  Vesuvius,  splendid 
rose-orange  ;  Viscocephalum,  white,  very  fragrant ;  W.  C. 
Bryant,  Flushing  seedling,  deep  pink. 

A.  amcena. — This  beautiful  plant  heads  another  group 
of  azaleas,  with,  as  a  rule,  smaller  but  not  less  choice  flow- 
ers, that  are  coming  into  especial  prominence.  Though 


30  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

not  widely  known,  it  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  best  gardens 
of  Newport,  where  it  may  be  seen  in  considerable  num- 
bers and  always  in  effective  combinations.  It  is  a  low, 
bushy  shrub  from  China,  from  two  to  four  feet  high  and 
of  a  spreading  habit,  so  that  its  diameter  is,  or  can  be 
made,  almost  equal  to  its  height.  The  evergreen  foliage 
is  composed  of  a  multitude  of  small  leaves,  which  become 
bronzy-lilac  or  purple  in  winter,  and  lose  none  of  their 
beauty,  even  under  the  severest  climatic  tests.  In  April 
or  May  the  bush  is  covered  with  masses  of  rich  crimson 
and  purple  blossoms,  about  one  to  one  and  a  half  inches 
across,  and  exceedingly  attractive.  Planted  in  groups  or 
in  rows  by  the  pathway,  it  is  effective  the  year  round,  and 
all  the  more  valuable  because  of  its  winter  garb.  There 
is  a  variety  known  as  Caldwelli,  held  to  be  of  freer  growth 
than  the  original,  whose  blossoms  are  nearly  twice  as 
large.  It  is  not  much  known  in  America,  but  in  England 
and  on  the  continent  is  said  to  be  crowding  the  typical 
form  for  the  supremacy.  Either  of  these  makes  ex- 
cellent borders  for  rhododendron  beds  or  the  larger 
azaleas,  and  is  an  acquisition  for  the  conservatory  as  well 
as  for  garden  cultivation. 

An  English  writer  through  the  London  Garden  speaks 
of  some  of  the  newer  forms  of  the  azalea,  most  of  which 
are  scarcely  known  in  this  country,  if  at  all,  and  his  account 
of  these  is  made  the  basis  of  the  descriptions  and  charac- 
terizations which  follow.  A.  cayciflora  resembles  the 
amoena  in  the  hose-in-hose  conformation  of  the  flower, 
but  differs  totally  from  it  in  the  color  of  the  blossoms, 
which  are  bright  salmon-red  with  a  distinct  orange  shade. 


Azalea.  31 

It  is  an  introduction  from  Japan,  a  decided  acquisition  to 
the  azalea  family,  and  certain  to  be  more  extensively 
grown  when  better  known.  A.  obtusa  is  another  of  these 
low-growing  forms,  without  the  enlarged  segments  so 
noticeable  in  the  case  of  the  preceding.  The  color  is 


AZALEA    ROS/EFLORA. 


much  the  same,  and  may  be  characterized  as  an  orange- 
red.  A  variety  of  this  species  has  blossoms  which  are 
pure  white,  or  occasionally  striped  with  red.  The  flowers 
are  brought  forth  in  great  profusion.  It  is  said  to  have 
come  from  China  and  not  to  be  entirely  hardy  in  exposed 
situations.  A.  rosaflora  is  quite  distinct  from  any  other 
azalea,  but  may  not  prove  to  be  entirely  hardy  in  northern 


32  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

localities.  The  flowers  are  of  a  pleasing  shade  of  salmon- 
pink,  larger  than  is  usual  with  this  class  of  shrubs,  very 
double,  and  imbricated.  Its  specific  name  comes  from  the 
fact  that  its  buds  resemble  those  of  the  rose  when  beginning 
to  expand.  For  forcing  and  in  southern  latitudes  it  must 
prove  a  distinct  gain.  It  is  best  grown  in  partial  shade. 
It  is  known  also  as  A.  balsamin&flora. 

In  addition  to  these  there  is  a  numerous  progeny  of 
crosses  and  hybrids,  mostly  between  the  amoena  and  some 
of  the  indica  section,  and,  as  might  be  expected,  some  of 
these  are  of  a  striking  character.  In  habit  they  are  mostly 
midway  between  the  two  parents,  the  amcena  affording 
the  elements  of  strength  and  endurance,  and  the  indica 
brilliancy  and  charm  of  color.  Among  the  best  of  the 
early  sorts  thus  produced  and  brought  to  the  attention  of 
the  public  are  Mrs.  Carmichael,  named  in  honor  of  the 
wife  of  the  hybridizer,  with  purple  flowers ;  Duke  of  Con- 
naught,  dark  rose  ;  Princess  Beatrice,  pale  mauve  ;  Wil- 
liam Carmichael,  carmine  suffused  with  magenta  ;  and  Miss 
Buist,  pure  white.  Later  on  other  experimenters  have 
brought  forward  the  Duchess  of  Albany,  pure  white  and 
semi-double ;  Illuminator,  rose-magenta,  with  vermilion 
centre  ;  Fosterianum,  white  and  very  large,  with  lemon 
tint  in  centre  ;  Hexe,  a  free-flowering  sort  and  said  to  be 
one  of  the  best  of  all.  But  it  is  of  little  use  to  continue 
the  list  of  varieties,  which  are  every  year  increasing  in 
numbers,  though  not  always  in  character.  Enough  have 
been  named  to  show  the  possibilities  in  this  direction,  and 
they  are  certainly  full  of  promise. 


Forsythia.  33 

FORSYTHIA. 

THE  forsythias,  coming  from  China  and  Japan,  be- 
long to  the  order  Oleacece,  and  have  long  been  in 
cultivation  in  English  gardens,  the  name  of  the 
genus  having  been  applied  in  the  last  century,  in  honor  of 
William  Forsyth,  the  king's  gardener  at  Kensington  for 
many  years.  There  are  but  few  species  or  varieties  known 
to  us  in  cultivation,  but  all  that  are  thus  employed  prove 
to  be  charming  plants,  and  of  especial  worth  because  of 
their  season  of  flowering  and  the  situations  which  they 
may  be  made  to  occupy  to  advantage.  The  flowers  are 
solitary,  bright  yellow,  and  very  numerous,  and  so  dis- 
tributed along  the  branches  as  to  often  cover  the  entire 
bush.  These  are  produced  on  the  wood  of  the  previous 
year's  growth,  and  it  sometimes  occurs  that  people  who  do 
not  appreciate  this  fact  prune  their  plants  in  winter,  thus 
removing  nearly  all  the  flowering  wood,  and  then  complain 
that  their  forsythias  do  not  meet  their  anticipations. 
These  plants  need  to  be  severely  cut  back  each  year,  but 
it  should  be  done  at  the  close  of  their  flowering  season, 
which  is  before  the  foliage  fully  puts  out  rather  than  after. 
Nearly  all  the  wood  of  the  year  preceding  should  be  cut 
away,  and  the  knife  may  be  used  without  fear  of  doing 
harm,  as  new  branches  will  quickly  take  the  places  of 
those  removed.  All  the  forsythias  are  rapid  growers,  and 
the  long,  slender  branches,  newly  formed,  carry  foliage  suf- 
ficiently attractive  to  justify  the  highest  expectations  in 
seeking  a  desirable  plant  of  its  proportions.  When  occa- 
sion requires,  the  shrub  may  be  trained  on  a  wall  or  fence 
and  made  to  cover  a  considerable  space.  It  is  equally 


34 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


fitted  to  be  formed  into  a  round,  compact  head,  as  is  often 
done  in  the  best  gardens. 

F.  veridissima  takes  its  specific  name  from  the  bright 
green  leaves  which  it  carries,  rather  than  from  the  color  of 
its  flowers,  which  are  golden-yellow  and  among  the  first  to 
appear  in  spring.  This  is  the  plant  longest  and  best 
known  in  our  gardens,  and  the  species 
which  drew  so  many  praises  from 
flower-lovers  a  hundred  years  ago  and 
which  were  by  no  means  unmerited. 
It  is  of  erect,  spreading  habit,  and 
entirely  hardy.  F.  suspensa  differs 
but  little  from  the  other  form,  except 
that  its  long,  slender  branches  are 
slightly  pendant  at  their  terminals, 
and  so  are  by  many  esteemed  more 
graceful.  The  blossoms  may  not  be 
quite  so  numerous,  but  the  plant  as  a 
whole  is  fully  as  good,  though  not 
especially  to  be  preferred  except  for 


WEEP.NQ   GOLDEN    BELL 
(FORSYTH.A  SUSPENSA.) 


trllng 

WJU    Jiaye    a    wjjer     spread.         A 

spondent  in  Meeharis  Monthly  gave  an  account,  some  time 
since,  of  an  instance  where  a  plant  was  kept  to  a  single 
stem  for  ten  feet,  and  then  allowed  to  spread  on  the  trellis, 
where  it  did  good  service  by  way  of  affording  shade  to  a 
doorway  which  was  too  sunny  an  exposure.  This  illustrates 
its  capabilities  in  that  direction.  The  plant  is  sometimes 
catalogued  under  the  names  F.  fortunei  and  F.  sieboldi, 
but  these  are  to  be  regarded  merely  as  synonyms. 


Desfontainea.  35 

DIRCA— Leather-wood. 

TH  E  popular  name  for  the  Direct  palustris  is  leather- 
wood.  This  usually  grows  in  the  form  of  a  small 
tree  and  to  a  height  of  but  from  three  to  five 
feet.  It  is  a  native  of  America  and  though  originally 
found  in  moist,  peaty  soils,  can  be  successfully  cultivated 
under  ordinary  conditions.  The  flowers  appear  early  in 
the  season  in  advance  of  the  foliage.  They  are  yellow 
with  a  greenish  cast,  in  terminal  bunches,  and  quite  pretty. 
The  leaves  are  lanceolate  in  shape,  and  of  a  yellowish- 
green  color.  The  leatherwood  is  especially  interesting 
from  the  peculiarities  of  the  thick,  porous  bark,  which  is 
so  soft  as  to  yield  to  the  touch  like  so  much  putty,  though 
resuming  its  shape  when  the  pressure  is  removed.  But, 
while  being  thus  pliant  and  porous,  it  has  such  great  strength 
that  a  strip  half  an  inch  in  width  is  said  to  be  too  much 
for  an  ordinary  man  to  break.  It  was  formerly  used  by 
the  Indians  for  strings  to  their  bows,  and  for  fish-lines. 
The  miniature  tree  is  more  valuable  as  a  curiosity  than 
anything  else. 

DESFONTAINEA. 

THERE   is  but   one  species  known   in   cultivation, 
D.  spinosa,  which  is  a  native  of  South  America, 
having  been  first  discovered  on  the  mountains  of 
Chili,  whence  it  was  carried  to  Europe  and  received  with 
considerable  favor.      It  belongs  to  the  natural  order  Lo- 
ganiacecz  and  in  many  respects  bears  close  resemblance 
to  certain  members  of  the  holly  family.     The  shrub  is  a 
low  grower,  much  branched,  and   in  the  milder  districts 


36  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

very  much  at  home,  though  it  cannot  be  safely  planted  in 
New  England  unless  especial  protection  is  afforded  in 
winter.  The  foliage  is  thick  and  glossy  like  that  of  the 
English  holly,  the  leaves  being  entire  and  armed  with 
spines  of  considerable  prominence.  The  flowers  are  at 
the  ends  of  the  branches,  solitary,  and  appearing  as  late 
as  August.  They  are  bright  scarlet,  shaded  with  yellow, 
and  in  tubular  form,  often  covering  the  entire  bush,  which 
grows  to  the  height  of  from  two  to  three  feet.  As  seen 
in  English  gardens,  Nicholson  pronounces  it  "  a  very 
beautiful,  hardy  evergreen  shrub  of  easy  cultivation."  It 
will  thrive  in  any  good  garden  soil,  and  its  presence  in  the 
border  in  winter  helps  enliven  one's  home  surroundings. 
Too  many  of  this  class  of  plants  cannot  well  be  employed 
where  a  favorable  outlook  is  desired  in  winter  as  well  as 
summer. 

HYDRANGEA. 

THE  hydrangeas  are  among  our  best  ornamental 
shrubs  and  are  widely  distributed.  They  are  of 
the  order  Saxifrages,  and  the  genus  includes 
between  thirty  and  forty  species,  natives  of  the  Hima- 
layas, the  island  of  Java,  China,  Japan,  the  United  States, 
and  perhaps  other  countries.  Some  are  evergreens  and 
some  deciduous,  and  nearly  all  are  beautiful  and  interest- 
ing. In  our  Northern  States  only  a  few  are  sufficiently 
hardy  to  be  grown  freely  in  the  open  ground  ;  but  farther 
south  the  very  best  sorts  can  be  cultivated  in  ordinary  gar- 
dens without  difficulty.  As  a  rule  the  American  species 
are  hardier,  but  not  of  so  good  flowers  or  foliage  as  some 


Hydrangea.  37 

that  come  from  China  and  Japan,  though  they  seem  to 
be  about  all  that  can  be  desired.  Nearly  all  have  large 
and  broadly  ovate  leaves,  pointed  and  slightly  serrated, 
and  would  prove  valuable  plants  if  grown  for  their  foliage 
alone.  The  blossoms  are  disposed  in  cymes,  corymbs, 
and  panicles,  and  are  distinguished  for  their  size  as  well 
as  beauty.  The  forms  with  sterile  flowers,  with  an  en- 
larged calyx,  are  to  be  preferred,  and  these  are  almost 
the  only  ones  in  use,  their  propagation  being  chiefly  from 
cuttings  or  by  division  of  roots. 

H.  Jiortensia. — This  is  a  species  most  freely  planted 
in  gardens,  and  popularly  known  as  the  changeable  hy- 
drangea. It  is  a  native  of  eastern  Asia,  and  was  intro- 
duced from  China  to  England  late  in  the  last  century, 
where  it  was  mostly  cultivated  under  glass  and  given 
special  protection,  as  it  was  found  too  tender  for  that  try- 
ing climate.  There  are  now  said  to  be  a  few  localities 
where  it  can  be  depended  upon  outside  in  ordinary 
winters  with  proper  care,  but  it  is  still  looked  upon  as 
suited  chiefly  to  conservatory  cultivation.  In  the  north- 
ern United  States  it  requires  much  the  same  treatment, 
and  for  the  same  reason.  And  so  it  is  mostly  seen  in 
tubs  or  pots  as  it  appears  on  the  lawns  or  in  borders, 
where  it  is  always  showy,  and  in  readiness,  when  autumn 
comes,  for  removal  to  the  pit  or  cellar.  It  is  thus  grown 
in  New  England  even  more  freely  than  in  the  South, 
where  less  care  and  attention  are  required  in  its  use.  It 
has  large,  ovate  leaves,  acute  at  both  ends,  serrated,  and 
of  good  substance.  The  flowers  are  collected  in  nearly 
round  balls  four  to  six  inches  through,  appearing  in  July 


38  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  continuing  a  month  or  more.  The  color  is  not  only 
variable,  but  changeable  as  the  season  advances.  It 
ranges  through  mild  shades  of  creamy-white  to  pink  and 
blue,  and  is  always  beautiful.  It  is  coming  to  be  quite 
the  custom,  where  large  plants  are  standing  in  the  open 


HYDRANGEA    HORTENSIA. 


garden,  to  prepare  and  protect  them  for  winter  without 
removal,  which  in  such  cases  is  somewhat  difficult.  This 
is  done  by  bending  the  branches  to  the  ground  as  nearly  as 
possible,  and  covering  with  earth  in  the  form  of  a  mound. 
Some  of  the  largest  and  finest  plants  in  Newport  have 
been  treated  in  this  way  for  a  succession  of  years,  and  it 
is  seldom  that  losses  occur  through  this  process.  There 


Hydrangea.  39 

are  numerous  varieties  of  H.  hortensia  which  are  worthy 
of  special  notice,  and  some  of  which  are  largely  in  use. 
Among  these  is  the  well-known  H.  otaksa,  with  opposite, 
deeply  serrated  leaves  and  beautiful  rose-  or  flesh-colored 
flowers.  It  is  held  to  be  one  of  the  best  forms  of  the 
whole  group.  The  Thomas  Hogg  has  pure  white  blos- 
soms, very  large  and  compact  and  very  showy  for  a  long 
time,  and  is  one  of  the  very  best.  H.  asizia  has  varie- 
gated foliage,  which  lends  variety  in  grouping,  but  supplies 
no  additional  flower  charms.  H.  Empress  Eiigenie  has 
good  foliage  and  very  large  corymbs  of  blue  and  pale  rose- 
colored  flowers,  and  should  not  be  overlooked.  H.  rosalba 
has  its  blossoms  in  smaller  heads,  but  they  usually  cover 
the  whole  bush.  They  are  white  and  pale  rose,  coming 
to  perfection  in  advance  of  most  of  the  others. 

H.  ramulis  coccineis,  known  as  the  red-stemmed  hy- 
drangea, proves  a  very  valuable  acquisition,  as  it  produces 
large  trusses  of  well-formed  blossoms,  rich  pink  or  deep 
rose  in  color,  and  in  great  profusion.  It  is  comparatively 
new,  having  originated  in  western  New  York  within  a  few 
years.  H.  rosea  is  much  the  same  as  Thomas  Hogg,  ex- 
cept that  its  blossoms  are  red  instead  of  white.  Alba 
variegata  and  speciosa  are  forms  with  silvery-white  marks 
on  the  foliage,  especially  in  early  spring,  when  the  effect 
is  very  striking. 

H.  vestita,  v&r.ptibescens. — This  is  one  of  the  most  hardy 
forms,  and  is  not  so  well  known  as  it  should  be.  It  is 
a  native  of  northern  China  and  perhaps  other  Asiatic 
countries  of  that  latitude.  It  is  but  little  known  in  Amer- 
ican or  English  gardens,  and  is  described  as  a  shrub  four 


40  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

or  five  feet  high  and  often  from  five  to  eight  feet  across, 
the  numerous  slender  branches  being  clothed  with  light 
green,  ovate  leaves,  pointed  at  both  ends,  and  retaining  the 
color  throughout  the  summer.  The  flowers,  appearing  in 
June,  are  in  cymes  five  to  six  inches  in  diameter.  The 
ray-flowers  are  numerous,  and  as  they  first  come  out  are 
pure  white,  but  later  change  to  rose  or  pink,  and  hold 
on  until  late  in  autumn.  It  is  pronounced  by  good  au- 
thorities the  most  beautiful  of  all  the  hydrangeas  that  are 
absolutely  hardy  as  far  north  as  New  York  and  New 
England,  and  the  earliest  to  blossom  in  summer. 

H.  thunbergii  is  a  species  from  Japan,  with  blue  or 
rose  flowers  arranged  in  clusters  with  the  sterile  ones 
on  the  outer  rim  of  the  cymes  and  the  fertile  ones  in  the 
centre.  It  is  a  small  sort  of  two  or  three  feet  in  height, 
and  not  as  hardy  as  some  other  sorts.  H.  nivea  is  distin- 
guished by  having  nearly  white  leaves  on  the  under  side, 
and  thus  affording  valuable  contrasts  when  planted  in 
groups.  H.  lindleyana  is  of  Japanese  origin,  with  long 
leaves  and  comparatively  small  heads  of  bright  pink  blos- 
soms. H.  stellata  flore  pleno  is  new  and  rare,  with  its 
merits  not  yet  fully  tested.  There  are  numerous  other 
varieties  of  more  or  less  value,  in  most  of  which  the  differ- 
ences are  so  slight  and  unimportant  that  to  describe  them 
would  seem  a  useless  task. 

H.  quercifolia  is  an  American  species,  a  native  of  the 
Alleghany  Mountains,  though  not  much  planted.  It  is 
a  hardy  shrub  four  to  six  feet  high,  and  of  sturdy  growth, 
with  white  flowers  disposed  in  the  form  of  panicles  rather 
than  the  customary  cymes.  The  leaves  are  about  six 


42  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

inches  long,  obtusely  lobed,  resembling  some  of  the  oaks, 
and  are  richly  tinted  in  autumn,  giving  an  especial  value 
in  producing  good  foliage  effects. 

H.  paniculata. — This  is  probably  the  most  hardy  of  all 
the  hydrangeas  known  to  cultivation.  Its  good  qualities 
are  intensified  in  its  variety,  H.  p.  grandiflora,  which  has 
now  almost  superseded  the  typical  form  in  our  ordinary 
gardens.  It  produces  immense  heads  of  sterile  flowers, 
often  measuring  ten  to  fifteen  inches  in  length  and  half  as 
many  in  diameter.  These  come  out  in  July  and  continue 
until  frost,  being  creamy-white  at  the  opening  and  chang- 
ing to  red  later  on.  The  shrub  is  much  branched,  and 
every  stem  carries  one  of  these  immense  cones,  so  that  the 
bush  appears  as  a  huge  bouquet,  arranged  with  care  and 
precision.  If  cut  back  almost  to  the  ground  in  autumn 
new  shoots  arise  in  considerable  numbers,  every  one  of 
which  later  during  the  same  season  produces  a  cluster  of 
blossoms.  If  the  shrub  is  not  properly  cut  in  there  will 
soon  be  too  much  height,  all  the  last  year's  growth  becom- 
ing bare.  When  desired  it  can  be  grown  in  tree  form, 
with  a  single  stem  to  the  height  desired,  when  a  well- 
rounded  head  can  be  established  and  maintained  from  year 
to  year.  It  is  often  grown  in  this  way,  but  it  is  not  espe- 
cially to  be  preferred.  The  plant  needs  no  winter  protec- 
tion, but,  like  all  the  others,  is  the  better  for  special  care 
and  attention. 

H.  japonica.—\n  earlier  introduction  from  Japan, 
growing  about  three  feet,  with  ovate,  oblong  leaves  glab- 
rous and  finely  serrate,  with  blossoms  of  bluish  cast,  though 
white  is  predominant,  and  in  crowded  cymes.  There  is  a 


HYDRANGEA    PANICULATA  QRANDIFLORA— TREE    FORM. 


44  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

variety  known  as  rosea  alba,  which  has  only  the  outer  in- 
dividual flowers  radiate,  and  the  petals  touched  with  pink 
or  rose. 

ACACIA. 

THE  acacias  constitute  a  large  and  interesting  genus 
of  the  natural  order  Leguminosce.  The  number 
of  species  is  estimated  at  from  three  to  four  hun- 
dred, and  there  are  in  addition  numerous  varieties  and 
hybrids  of  especial  value  in  cultivation.  They  are  mostly 
natives  of  tropical  or  semi-tropical  climates,  and  their 
products  are  highly  esteemed  in  commerce  and  medicine. 
Some  of  the  species  furnish  the  exudation  known  as  gum 
arabic,  some  gum  Senegal,  and  others  a  delicious  perfume 
known  in  trade.  Various  drugs  and  medicines  are  pre- 
pared in  whole  or  part  from  the  roots,  leaves,  and  bark, 
and  the  bark  contains  so  much  tannin  as  to  be  also  largely 
used  for  tanning  leather.  In  some  cases  the  pods  furnish 
material  to  the  native  populations  for  making  snuff,  and 
also  for  distilling  an  intoxicant  which  is  said  to  be  of  a 
most  agreeable  nature.  They  are  nearly  all  beautiful, 
small  trees,  with  gracefully  waving,  feathery  foliage  and 
abundant,  fragrant,  pea-shaped  blossoms  of  white,  pink, 
yellow,  and  purple. 

As  might  be  expected,  most  of  the  acacias  known  to 
colder  sections  are  grown  under  glass,  and  very  few  are 
entirely  hardy  in  this  country  as  far  north  as  New  York 
and  New  England.  But  in  the  Southern  States  there  are 
several  species  well  fitted  to  the  climate,  and  needing  no 
protection  ;  and  some  of  these,  with  no  more  care  than  is 


Acacia.  45 

often  afforded  other  semi-hardy  plants,  can  be  grown  as 
far  north  as  Philadelphia  and  St.  Louis.  The  leaves  are 
compound,  twice  and  thrice  pinnate,  the  small  leaflets 
being  so  finely  divided  as  to  present  a  fern-like  or  feathery 
appearance.  But  in  some  of  the  species  the  true  leaves  are 
seldom  developed.  To  compensate  for  their  absence,  the 
leaf-stalk,  which  at  first  is  more  or  less  cylindrical  and  of 
small  dimensions,  becomes  flattened  and  assumes  a  leaf- 
like  appearance.  Thus  these  dilated  leaf-stalks  are  made 
to  fulfil  the  functions  of  leaves,  varying  largely  in  the  dif- 
ferent species.  Another  curiosity  in  the  structure  of  the 
foliage  of  this  class  is  that  the  leaves  are  so  placed  that 
their  edges  look  upward  and  downward,  instead  of  lying 
flat,  as  in  most  cases.  One  of  the  results  of  this  peculiar 
arrangement  is  that  such  trees  and  shrubs  afford  very  little 
shade,  as  the  sun's  rays  are  but  slightly  obstructed,  so  that 
other  plants  of  suitable  size  may  grow  freely  beneath.  Of 
the  specimens  that  may  be  planted  safely  in  the  United 
States  the  following  may  be  named  as  among  the  best : 

A.  decurrens — Black  Wattle. — This  is  a  small  tree  of 
good  proportions,  and  highly  prized  wherever  known.  It 
is,  withal,  of  considerable  commercial  value  in  its  native 
country,  and  thousands  of  acres  are  said  to  have  been 
planted  in  New  Zealand  and  Australia  within  a  few  years 
for  the  tannin  which  the  bark  affords.  The  tree  is  ex- 
ceedingly floriferous,  producing  long  racemes  of  bright 
yellow  blossoms  that  contrast  favorably  with  the  pale  green, 
fern-like  leaves.  It  was  introduced  into  California  some 
years  since,  where  it  was  received  with  much  favor.  Since 
then  it  has  been  planted  in  some  of  the  Southern  States, 


46  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  may  be  grown  as  far  north  as  Washington  under 
favorable  conditions. 

A.  hispida — Rose-Acacia. — This  is  a  native  of  the 
southern  Alleghanies,  and  is  one  of  the  most  hardy  of  all 
the  true  acacias,  and  so  is  more  largely  known  in  American 
gardens  than  any  other.  It  is  a  small  tree,  blooming  early 
in  spring,  when  it  is  covered  with  soft  rose-colored  but 
scentless  flowers.  It  is  a  vigorous  grower,  coming  early 
to  maturity,  and  in  every  respect  is  desirable.  But  even 
when  found  hardy  it  needs  to  be  planted  in  a  sheltered 
position,  as  its  wood  is  brittle  and  the  limbs  are  easily 
broken  by  high  winds.  In  England  it  is  often  grafted  for 
the  sake  of  gaining  height,  and  as  thus  grown  is  very 
fine. 

A.  bailey  ana. — This  is  a  native  of  Australia,  and  has 
been  but  recently  introduced  to  English  and  American 
grounds.  Mr.  Watson  of  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden, 
in  a  letter  written  from  London  to  Garden  and  Forest 
some  time  since,  says  that  he  found  it  growing  at  Kew, 
and  that  it  does  well  in  that  location.  It  may  not  have 
been  tested  very  thoroughly  in  America  as  yet,  but  as 
grown  at  Cambridge  it  is  described  as  of  a  close,  bushy 
habit,  with  stiff,  twiggy  branches,  thickly  clothed  with  short, 
bipinnate,  glaucous  leaves,  with  remarkable  glandules  on 
the  midrib.  The  flowers  are  in  small-stalked,  spherical 
heads,  deep  yellow,  fragrant,  and  produced  in  large  panicles 
on  the  end  of  the  branches.  In  its  native  country  it  is 
said  to  grow  to  a  height  of  fifteen  feet,  but  has  assumed 
no  such  proportions,  as  yet,  in  the  hands  of  our  horticul- 
turists. It  cannot  be  otherwise  than  an  interesting  plant, 


Acacia.  47 

as  the  gray  bark  of  the  stem  and  larger  branches,  with  the 
pale  green  of  the  foliage  and  the  bright  bunches  of  golden 
flowers,  constitutes  a  combination  not  often  seen  on  the 
same  shrub  or  tree.  The  blossoms  continue  long  and 
answer  a  good  purpose  as  cut  flowers. 

A.  pubescens. — No  one  will  dispute  the  value  of  this 
plant  as  ornamental,  and  it  is  one  of  the  most  hardy 
and  easily  grown  of  its  class.  Good  plants  are  found  in 
perfection  as  far  north  as  Boston  in  some  of  the  best 
gardens.  It  was  reported  as  long  ago  as  1891  that  speci- 
mens were  growing  in  the  grounds  of  Wellesley  College, 
spreading  to  nearly,  if  not  quite,  ten  feet  in  diameter. 
These  had  doubtless  received  especial  care  and  attention, 
as  do  many  others  of  our  best  ornamental  shrubs.  In  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  country  they  thrive  in  the  open  air 
the  year  round.  They  are  beautiful  in  both  foliage  and 
flower,  the  leaves  being  finely  cut  and  the  blossoms  ex- 
ceedingly abundant.  These  latter  are  light  yellow,  and 
crowd  the  long,  pendulous  branches  from  end  to  end, 
always  filling  the  air  with  a  delicious  fragrance.  They 
appear  very  early  in  spring,  and  frequently  in  winter 
during  a  temporary  suspension  of  its  customary  rigors. 
It  is  a  good  plant  for  house  or  church  decoration,  and 
capable  of  filling  a  want  in  that  direction  which  has  been 
long  felt. 

A.  farnesiana. — Here  also  is  found  a  small  tree,  of 
about  the  same  height  and  possessed  of  many  of  the  same 
good  qualities.  Just  where  it  originated  is  a  question  not 
fully  determined.  It  abounds  in  San  Domingo,  and  is 
found  growing  wild  in  some  parts  of  Texas,  if  not  in  others 


48  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

of  the  Southern  and  Southwestern  States.  With  care 
and  slight  winter  protection  it  is  found  to  do  well  in 
the  Mississippi  valley  as  far  north  as  Cincinnati,  and 
presumably  is  adapted  to  a  considerable  southern  range 
throughout  the  middle  Southern  States.  It  has  the 
feathery  foliage  of  its  class,  with  flowers  of  golden-yellow 
and  most  deliciously  fragrant.  These  appear  in  early 
spring  in  great  abundance,  and  continue  through  the  en- 
tire summer  and  well  into  the  autumn.  Cases  are 
reported  where  trees  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  high  carry 
heads  as  many  or  more  feet  in  diameter,  and  that,  too, 
when  from  but  six  to  ten  years  old. 

ACER — Japanese  Maples. 

THE  Japanese  are  a  patient  people.  However 
others  may  make  haste,  they  are  content  to  wait 
when  they  have  an  object  in  view  which  they 
deem  worth  their  while.  Their  nurserymen,  especially, 
are  given  to  processes  that  an  American  grower  of  plants 
would  scorn  to  adopt,  however  much  he  might  desire  pos- 
sible results.  In  proof  of  this  it  is  necessary  only  to  note 
how  largely  the  foreigners  are  given  to  the  art  of  dwarfing 
plants  and  trees  and  growing  them  into  fantastic  shapes. 
The  beautiful  little  maples,  and  many  others  which  appear 
in  this  country  from  time  to  time,  are  largely  the  outcome 
of  long-continued  artificial  conditions.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  Horticultural  Congress  held  in  Chicago  in  1893,  Mr. 
Henry  Izawa,  gardener  of  the  Japanese  Commission  to  the 
Columbian  Exposition,  read  a  paper  by  request,  illus- 
trating this  phase  of  Japanese  work  ;  and  as  it  throws 


Acer — Japanese  Maples. 


49 


so  much  light  on  the  general  subject,  and  explains  so 
many  of  the  peculiarities  of  certain  Japanese  plants,  a  brief 
quotation  may  not  here  be  out  of  place. 

In  setting  out  to  produce  these  abnormal  results,  Mr. 
Izawa  says  that  the  workman  begins  with  the  seed,  and 
that  great  care  is  taken  to  pro- 
cure seed  of  the  very  best 
quality.  "  In  the  spring  of  the 
second  year,  when  the  seed- 
lings are  about  eight  inches  in 
height,  they  are  staked  with 
bamboo-canes  and  tied  with 
rice  straw,  the  plants 
being  bent  in  differ- 
ent desirable  shapes. 
In  the  next  fall  they 
are  transplanted  to  a 
richer  soil,  and  are 
well  fertilized.  In  the 
following  spring  the 
plants  are  restaked, 
and  twisted  and  tied 
in  fanciful  forms.  This  mode  of  treatment  is  given  until 
the  seventh  year,  when  the  trees  will  have  assumed 
fairly  large  proportions,  the  branches  being  trained  in  grace- 
ful forms,  and  the  foliage  like  small  clouds  of  dense  green. 
The  plants  are  now  taken  up  and  placed  in  pots  one  and 
a  half  feet  in  diameter,  and  are  kept  well  watered  every 
succeeding  year ;  great  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  new 
shoots  pinched  back.  After  another  three  years  of  this 


JAPANESE    MAPLE. 


50  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

treatment  the  trees  are  virtually  dwarfed,  there  being 
no  visible  growth  thereafter.  Maples  form  one  of  the 
best  materials  for  the  artistic  fancies  of  the  Japanese  grafts- 
man.  Many  times  a  great  many  different  varieties  are 
grafted  on  one  stem.  Seedling  maples  are  spliced  and 
tied  together  when  growing.  After  they  have  formed 
a  union  the  desired  shoot  is  cut  off — this  is  kept  up  until 
ten  or  twenty  varieties  are  obtained.  Maples  thus  grafted 
form  lovely  features  for  lawns,  their  varying  hues  and 
types  of  foliage  enhancing  each  other's  beauty. 

"  The  aesthetic  idea  shows  itself  in  every  line  of  Japa- 
nese industry,  and  especially  is  it  the  case  with  our  nursery 
and  landscape  gardeners.  The  most  inexperienced  need 
not  fear  any  difficulty  in  our  mode  of  gardening  if  he  but 
uses  his  mind  and  efforts  in  the  right  direction.  The  skil- 
ful artist  introduces  into  his  miniature  garden,  not  regular 
geometrical  forms,  but  anything  odd,  irregular,  and  artis- 
tic. To  us  gardening  is  not  mathematics,  but  an  art ; 
hills,  dales,  rivulets,  waterfalls,  bridges,  etc.,  vie  with  each 
other  in  presenting  their  quaintest  forms  and  fancies  and 
harmonious  symmetries.  Dwarfed  plants  of  all  descrip- 
tions deck  the  scene  here  and  there  in  thousands  of  pecul- 
iarly artistic  shapes.  We  derive  lessons  from  Nature,  and 
strive  to  imitate  her  as  much  as  is  practicable,  although  on 
a  smaller  scale." 

The  Japanese  maples  belong  to  the  natural  order 
Sapindacece,  and,  though  differing  so  widely  from  most 
of  their  congeners  in  general  appearance,  are  genuine 
members  of  the  great  maple  family  so  widely  known 
throughout  the  world.  And  yet  they  occupy  a  field  in 


Acer — Japanese  Maples.  51 

horticulture  peculiar  to  themselves,  being  both  curious 
and  beautiful  beyond  comparison.  Though  real  trees, 
they  are  known  to  us  only  in  shrub-like  proportions,  and, 
being  of  slow  growth,  are  adapted  to  use  in  localities 
where  other  sorts  would  soon  become  too  large  for  the 
situation.  It  is  true  that  they  do  not  carry  conspicuous 
blossoms,  but  the  foliage  is  resplendent  in  crimson,  pink, 
yellow,  red,  purple,  and  gold,  each  in  varying  shades,  so 
that  when  rightly  planted  in  masses  they  become  as  at- 
tractive as  any  bed  of  flowers,  with  the  advantage  of  main- 
taining their  charms  throughout  the  entire  summer. 
Their  habit  of  growth  is  low  and  somewhat  bushy,  rang- 
ing from  three  to  fifteen  feet  in  height,  with  well-formed 
and  shapely  heads.  With  our  present  information  k  is 
impossible  to  class  them  as  to  species  with  exactness,  and, 
though  this  has  been  often  attempted,  scarcely  two  au- 
thorities are  entirely  agreed.  This,  however,  is  a  matter 
of  small  importance  in  practical  horticulture,  as  all  the 
general  features  are  well  understood  and  appreciated. 
The  following  are  the  best  sorts,  and  probably  the  only 
ones  at  present  before  the  American  public,  to  be  com- 
mended for  cultivation  : 

A.  japonicum. — This  is  a  species  growing  ten  to  fifteen 
feet  in  height,  with  bright  green  leaves.  These  are  larger 
than  in  most  of  the  sorts  represented  in  this  group,  nearly 
round,  and  scalloped  or  fluted,  though  not  deeply  in- 
dented. The  flowers  appear  in  early  spring,  are  delicate 
pink  and  decidedly  attractive.  This  is  all  the  more  no- 
ticeable as  in  most  of  these  maples  the  blossoms  are  com- 
paratively inconspicuous.  The  tree  is  of  slow  growth, 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


holding  its  foliage  well  into  autumn  and  growing  more 
and  more  beautiful  with  age.  It  has  given  off  a  variety, 
A.  j.  aureum,  whose  distinguishing  feature  is  in  its  yellow 
or  golden  leaves,  which  are  intermingled  with  varying 
shades  of  green,  productive  of  the  best  effects,  the  colors 
being  retained  through  the  entire  season.  The  tree  are 
hardy  as  far  north  as  southern  New  England  and  western 
New  York.  Another  variety,  less  striking,  is  A.  j.  aconiti- 
folium,  aconite-leaved,  the  foliage  of  which  is  deeply 
cut,  giving  it  a  very  picturesque  appearance.  There  are 
also  a  large-leaved  sort,  A.  j.  macranthum,  one  with 
small  foliage,  A.  j.  microphyllum,  and  still  another,  A.  j. 
scolopendifolium,  smaller  than  the  last,  with  wavy  or  scal- 
loped leaves. 

A.  polymorphism. — This  is  supposed  to  be  the  parent 

of  many  of  the  remark- 
able varieties  that  have 
come  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  public,  and  that 
now  enter  so  largely  into 
horticulture.  Whether 
it  be  true,  as  some  assert, 
or  otherwise,  that  it  was 
the  original  form,  it  has 
certainly  given  off  a 
number  of  varieties 
which  in  garden  and  lawn 
planting  have  no  superi- 
ors, and,  indeed,  few  or 
no  equals.  It  rises  from  twelve  to  eighteen  feet,  as  observed 


ACER    POLYMORPHUM. 


Acer — Japanese  Maples.  53 

in  this  country,  and  can  be  grown  in  tree  or  bush  form  as 
may  be  desired.  The  foliage  is  rather  small,  deeply  lobed, 
and  has  a  habit  of  taking  on  different  forms  as  well  as  colors, 
the  young  growth  materially  differing  from  the  older  on 
the  same  tree.  In  the  fall  special  tints  are  assumed, 
which  add  much  to  its  attractiveness.  The  bark  is  smooth, 
and,  all  things  considered,  it  is  one  of  the  prettiest  small 
trees  that  can  be  planted  in  ordinary  locations. 

A.  p.  atropurpureum. — This  is  known  as  the  dark 
purple-leaved  Japan  maple,  and  is  probably  more  largely 
planted  than  any  other  variety.  It  is  identical  with  the 
preceding  except  in  the  color  of  the  foliage,  though  per- 
haps not  of  quite  so  vigorous  growth.  Planted  in  groups, 
few  things  are  more  effective,  and  it  retains  its  color  well 
into  autumn.  Where  contrasts  are  desired,  nothing  serves 
a  better  purpose  and  harmonizes  so  well  with  the  other 
plants  of  its  class.  A.  p.  atropurpureum  nigrum  has  still 
darker  leaves. 

A.  p.  atropurpureum  dissectiim. — This  is  a  dwarf,  pen- 
dulous form  of  the  most  exquisite  beauty,  and,  though 
not  found  in  most  gardens,  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  all. 
The  bark  on  the  smaller  branches  is  crimson,  and  the  foli- 
age is  so  finely  cut  as  to  give  it  the  appearance  of  beauti- 
ful lace  or  hanging  draperies.  The  leaves  are  bright 
rose-color  when  young,  but  as  the  season  advances  change 
to  a  dark  purple,  retaining,  however,  their  beauty  to  the 
last.  At  its  best  the  tree  grows  to  a  height  of  ten  to 
twelve  feet,  but  as  usually  seen  in  American  gardens  is 
scarcely  more  than  five  or  six.  Mr.  H.  H.  Berger,  the 
California  florist  and  importer,  who  saw  the  plant  in  its 


54  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

native  habitat,  says  :  "  In  the  English  Park  at  Yokohama, 
on  the  Bluff,  is  to  be  seen  one  of  the  most  perfect  speci- 
mens of  this  kind.  The  stem  is  about  twelve  feet  high, 
and  is  completely  masked  by  the  drooping  branches. 
When  the  wind  sweeps  through  them,  the  sunlight  play- 
ing with  the  purplish  and  red  tints  of  the  leaves,  they  are 
like  a  cascade  of  rich,  royal  lace,  or  a  poem  in  color. 
This  sort  has  a  sub-variety,  the  crimson,  fern-like  leaves, 
variegated  with  pink,  green,  and  white,  being  extremely 
delicate  and  of  a  dwarf  growth."  A.  p.  albo  variegatum 
is  another  form  with  marked  peculiarities.  It  has  small, 
deeply  cut  leaves  variegated  with  white  and  yellow,  but  is 
not  esteemed  one  of  the  best  of  the  family.  This  and  A. 
p.  cristatum  are  seldom  seen  in  the  gardens,  though  both 
are  pretty  plants  and  worthy  of  more  general  use. 

A. p.  roseo-pictum. — In  this  the  leaves  are  equally  finely 
cut,  but  variegated  with  white,  yellow,  rose,  and  green, 
making  it  in  springtime  a  wonder  to  all  beholders.  The 
shrub,  though  so  delicate  in  appearance,  is  reasonably 
hardy  where  other  varieties  are  known  to  thrive.  It  is 
still  scarce  in  the  markets,  so  that  the  demand  for  it  has 
never  been  fully  met.  A.  p.  roseo-marginatum  is  of  slow 
growth,  with  small  leaves  curiously  tipped  and  edged  with 
red  or  rosy-pink.  There  is  a  variety  of  this  differing  only 
in  the  more  intense  colors  of  the  variegation.  A.  p. 
versicolor  is  another  form  in  which  the  foliage  much 
resembles  that  of  the  parent  polymorphism,  but  is  spotted 
with  pink,  white,  and  green.  It  is  a  strong  grower  and 
one  of  the  most  interesting  sorts. 

A.  p.   reticulatum  is  very  much    of   a   dwarf.     It   is 


Acer — Japanese  Maples.  55 

described  as  having  deeply  lobed  leaves,  traversed  over 
a  whitish  ground  with  a  network  of  translucent,  yellowish- 
green  lines,  and  as  coloring  finely  in  autumn  when  it 
is  at  its  best.  It  contrasts  well  with  the  A.  p.  sanguineum, 
or  blood-leaved  variety,  which  in  turn  is  one  of  the  pret- 


CUT-LEAVED   JAPAN    MAPLE. 


tiest  of  the  whole  family,  and  one  of  the  most  largely 
planted.  This  is  at  its  best  in  June,  and,  though  it  later 
loses  some  of  its  brilliancy,  it  is  a  gem  of  rare  worth  to 
the  end  of  the  season.  No  massing  or  grouping  is  com- 
plete without  it.  It  is  also  especially  effective  as  a  single 
specimen,  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular  of  all  the 
family. 


56  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

SHEPHERDI A— Buffalo  Berry. 

THE  shepherdias  constitute  a  small  group  of  the 
Oleaster  family,  which  was  named  by  Nuttall  in 
honor  of  John  Shepherd,  at  the  time  curator  of 
the  Liverpool  Botanic  Garden.  All  are  natives  of  North 
America,  having  a  range  from  New  Mexico  to  the  British 
Possessions  on  the  north,  but  mostly  confined  to  the  west- 
ern sections  of  the  United  States.  But  one,  only,  proves 
of  especial  value  as  ornamental  or  possessed  of  eco- 
nomic worth.  Shepherdia  argentea,  popularly  known  as 
the  buffalo  or  rabbit  berry,  grows  from  five  to  fifteen 
feet  high  and  is  of  slender  proportions,  with  opposite  ovate 
or  oblong  leaves  silvery  white  on  both  sides.  The 
branches  are  covered  with  gray  bark,  the  whole  contrast- 
ing pleasantly  with  surrounding  trees  or  shrubs  of  darker 
shade.  It  is  slightly  thorny  and  capable  of  being  used 
for  hedges  to  advantage.  The  flowers  are  small  and  in 
compact  clusters,  bright  yellow,  appearing  in  April  or 
May  in  great  profusion.  The  fruit  which  follows  is  still 
more  beautiful.  It  is  scarlet  or  crimson,  and  hangs  in 
bunches  sometimes  covering  almost  the  entire  bush  or 
tree,  and  contrasting  with  the  light-colored  foliage  to  great 
advantage.  These  berries  have  an  agreeable  acid  taste 
and  prove  edible  for  man  or  beast.  The  plant  was  intro- 
duced many  years  ago  to  English  gardens  where  it  was 
received  with  favor  becoming  its  merits.  S.  canadensis  is 
a  slightly  smaller  shrub  but  far  less  valuable  for  garden 
cultivation.  Its  fruit  is  less  showy,  quite  insipid,  and  the 
branches,  young  leaves,  and  indeed  the  whole  plant  are 
more  or  less  covered  with  rusty  scales.  But  it  has  its 


Ligustrum — Privet.  5  7 

uses,  as  it  grows  on  gravelly  banks  and  in  sterile  soils 
where  little  else  will  thrive.  Its  hardiness  is  proverbial, 
as  it  holds  its  own  against  the  most  adverse  influences. 

LIGUSTRUM— Privet. 

THE  privets  are  among  the  most  useful  as  well  as 
most  ornamental  of  the  small  trees  or  shrubs 
known  to  cultivation.  They  belong  to  the  olive 
family,  Oleacetz,  and  comprise  from  twenty-five  to  thirty 
species  with  numerous  varieties  of  especial  value.  Some 
are  natives  of  Europe,  others  of  temperate  and  tropical 
Asia,  and  still  others  of  Australia  and  the  South  Sea 
Islands.  Those  most  familiar  to  our  northern  gardens 
are  nearly  all  deciduous,  but  farther  south  the  evergreens 
predominate.  In  either  case,  the  bright  green  foliage  and 
somewhat  conspicuous  white  blossoms  and  berry-like 
fruit  show  to  advantage.  Few  plants  are  adapted  to  a 
wider  climatic  range  or  will  thrive  under  such  diverse  con- 
ditions. All  the  species  are  of  easy  growth  and  compara- 
tively indifferent  to  soils  and  situations,  though  as  they 
are  rapid  growers  they  should  be  supplied  with  plenty  of 
vegetable  food  for  best  effects.  It  is  claimed  that  they 
are  especially  indifferent  to  the  smoky  atmosphere  of 
large  towns  and  cities  where  so  many  others  fail,  and  this, 
taken  in  connection  with  the  fact  that  they  are  notably 
free  from  insect  pests  and  from  disease,  suggests  their 
more  liberal  planting  in  such  locations. 

L.  vulgar e  is  the  common  privet  or  prim  of  the  old 
English  gardens,  and  is  still  largely  in  use  for  hedges  and 
fencing.  It  is  a  native  of  Europe,  including  the  British 


58  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

Islands,  and  so  is  adapted  to  the  climate  and  well  fitted  to 
the  purposes  to  which  it  is  applied.  It  has  smooth,  ellip- 
tic-lanceolate foliage,  and,  when  properly  treated  with  that 
end  in  view  makes  a  compact,  well  rounded  bush  some- 
what in  tree  form,  from  six  to  ten  feet  high.  The  blos- 
soms are  white  and  in  compound  racemes,  coming  out 
in  early  summer,  and  are  both  numerous  and  fragrant. 
These  are  followed  by  nearly  black  berry-like  fruit  in 
clusters  of  no  particular  beauty.  In  the  hedge-rows,  where 
the  plants  are  kept  well  cut  in,  but  few  flowers  are  seen 
as  they  are  borne  on  the  new  wood.  But  when  grown  on 
the  lawn  or  in  the  border  they  are  among  the  most  florif- 
erous  of  shrubs,  the  odor  of  the  blossoms  when  in  close 
contact  being  so  intense  as  to  be  offensive  to  many  per- 
sons, a  characteristic  of  nearly  all  the  privets.  There  are 
several  well  established  varieties,  some  of  which  may  be 
preferred  to  the  typical  form.  Of  these  L.  v.  buxifolium 
has  leaves  resembling  those  of  the  common  box ;  L.  v. 
frutuluteum  has  yellow  fruit  and  more  dense  foliage ; 
L.  v.  variegatum,  leaves  margined  with  yellow  in  one 
form,  and  marked  with  white  in  another,  and  others  have 
more  or  less  noticeable  variegations. 

L.  ovalifolium  is  popularly  known  as  the  California 
privet,  though  for  no  good  reason,  as  it  is  a  native  of 
Japan  and  not  of  the  State  whose  name  it  bears.  It  is 
preferred  to  the  vulgare  because  of  its  larger  foliage  and 
more  rapid  and  vigorous  growth.  The  leaves  are  oval- 
elliptic  or  obovate,  and  much  more  persistent.  Even  in 
the  vicinity  of  Boston  they  often  keep  their  color  until 
midwinter,  while  farther  south  they  are  practically  ever- 


Ligustrum — Privet.  59 

green.  Unfortunately  this  species  is  not  quite  as  hardy  as 
some  of  the  other  forms,  and  so  cannot  be  depended 
upon  in  northern  New  England  or  the  Northwest.  In 
Newport,  Rhode  Island,  it  is  the  favorite  shrub  for  hedges 
and  is  extensively  planted  along  the  seaside,  and  often  in 
most  exposed  situations,  where  it  seldom  suffers  from 
wind  or  cold.  It  appears  to  be  peculiarly  fitted  for  growth 
near  the  shore,  and  is  much  used  for  the  protection  of  other 
and  less  hardy  forms.  It  is  found,  also,  on  the  open  grounds 
and  in  the  borders  of  the  most  pretentious  villas  of  that 
city  of  palaces.  There  is  a  variety  catalogued  as  L.  o. 
tricolor  whose  foliage  is  beautifully  marked  with  green, 
yellow,  and  white,  the  combination  continuing  the  entire 
season  with  all  the  distinctness  of  the  first  growth.  There 
is,  however,  a  tendency  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  more 
vigorous  branches  to  turn  to  the  original  color,  and  it  some- 
times becomes  necessary  to  cut  out  the  green-leaved 
branches  in  order  to  preserve  the  full  beauty  of  the  bush. 
It  is  often  grafted  on  privet  stock  several  feet  high,  and 
grown  as  a  ball  or  a  pyramid,  when  the  effect  is  very  fine. 
L.  japonicum. — This  is  an  evergreen  species  from 
Japan,  reaching  a  height  of  six  to  ten  feet,  and  is  a  vigorous 
grower  with  oblong-ovate  foliage  more  sharply  pointed 
than  in  most  privets.  The  leaves  are  thick  and  glossy  and 
are  capable  of  withstanding  northern  winters  better  than 
most  of  the  others.  The  variety  known  as  macrophyllum 
has  still  larger  foliage,  but  is  scarcely  to  be  preferred. 
Neither  the  type  nor  its  varieties  are  much  known  in  the 
United  States  and  cannot  confidently  be  recommended 
except  for  the  southern  or  middle  sections. 


60  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

L.  ibota  is  another  species  from  Japan,  and  is  in  all 
respects  one  of  the  best.  It  proves  a  somewhat  smaller 
form  with  even  more  slender  twigs  and  branches.  The 
flowers  are  in  drooping  racemes  in  midsummer,  and  so 
fragrant  that  they  perfume  the  air  for  a  considerable 
distance.  It  is  able  to  endure  a  greater  degree  of  cold 
than  the  last  mentioned,  and  so  is  to  be  preferred  in 
northern  latitudes  where  the  ordinary  privet  hedge  is 
considered  precarious.  It  is  believed  to  be  as  hardy  as  the 
old  English  privet  which  Mr.  W.  C.  Egan  of  Highland 
Park,  Chicago,  puts  down  as  the  only  ligustrum  which 
thrives  in  that  locality. 

L.  lucidum. — This  also  belongs  to  the  evergreen  branch 
of  the  group  and  is  not  freely  planted  in  this  country. 
The  leaves  are  much  larger  than  in  either  of  the  others 
described  and  are  more  oval.  Its  flowers  appear  in  wide- 
spreading  panicles  in  early  autumn,  and  are  quite  showy  as 
well  as  fragrant.  It  is  a  native  of  China,  though  found 
growing  freely  in  Japan  also,  rising  to  a  height  of  ten  to 
twelve  feet. 

HYPERICUM— St.  John's-wort. 

THE  hypericums  constitute  a  large  genus  of  tender 
and  hardy  herbaceous  plants,  shrubs,  and  trees. 
The  Greek  name  appears  to  have  been  originally 
applied  to  a  species  growing  freely  in  Egypt  and  southern 
Europe,  which  was  but  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  high. 
The  best  of  the  hardy  sorts  growing  as  shrubs  or  small 
trees    are    natives    of    North    America,    though    Europe 
furnishes  several  that  are  valuable.      They  can  be  easily 


Hypericum — St.  John's-wort 


61 


grown,  and  are  worthy  of  more  attention  than  has  been 
accorded  them  in  promiscuous  cultivation.  Thus  far,  of 
the  many  members  of  the  family  but  few  have  come  into 
common  use  as  ornamental,  but  as  their  merits  are  better 
understood  they  are  fast  growing  into  popular  favor. 
This  is  seen  in  the  fact 
that,  whereas  a  few 
years  ago  the  hyperi- 
cums  were  seldom  ad- 
vertised by  the  nursery- 
men, they  have  now  so 
far  won  upon  the  pub- 
lic as  to  secure  a  place 
in  almost  every  cata- 
logue. Nearly  all  have 
opposite  leaves,  which 
are  frequently  dotted 
with  darker  colors,  giv- 
ing them  a  somewhat 
singular  though  not  an 
especially  attractive  ap- 
pearance. The  sap  or 
juice  is  usually  acrid 
and  disagreeable  to  the 
taste.  There  are  now 
before  the  public  a  dozen  or  more  species  or  well-defined 
varieties,  from  which  selections  may  be  made  that  are  sure 
to  please. 

H.  kalmianum,  popularly  known    as    St.  John's-wort, 
takes  its  name  from  the  Swedish  botanist,   Peter  Kalm, 


HYPERICUM    KALMIANUM. 


62  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

who  first  saw  the  plant  on  the  borders  of  Niagara  River, 
during  a  visit  to  this  country.  It  was  introduced  to 
European  gardens  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century, 
and  was  received  with  much  favor.  In  England,  especially, 
it  has  long  been  regarded  as  among  the  best  of  ornamen- 
tals in  the  department  to  which  it  is  particularly  adapted. 
It  is  a  low,  spreading  bush  from  two  to  four  feet  high,  the 
diameter  of  its  top  being  often  greater  than  its  height. 
The  leaves  are  numerous  and  somewhat  crowded,  linear, 
slightly  glaucous,  and  about  two  inches  long.  The  blossoms 
appear  in  August.  They  are  glossy  yellow,  somewhat 
resembling  in  their  general  appearance  those  of  the  dande- 
lion, and  are  very  numerous  and  long-continued,  and  afford 
a  marked  contrast  to  the  deep  green  foliage  and  the 
prevailing  colors  at  that  time  of  the  year.  For  planting 
singly  or  in  masses  this  is  very  effective,  and  is  especially 
adapted  to  small  lawns  or  gardens.  It  also  has  the  merit  of 
doing  better  than  most  plants  when  growing  in  partial 
shade. 

H.  aurenni  is  of  even  less  size  than  the  preceding, 
and  in  some  respects  is  to  be  preferred  to  it  where  a  small 
shrub  is  called  for.  It  is  a  recent  introduction,  and  a 
worthy  candidate  for  popular  favor.  Though  diminutive, 
it  produces  much  larger  flowers  than  the  kalmianum,  and 
in  equal  profusion.  Of  the  few  hardy  shrubs  blossoming 
in  early  autumn  this  is  certainly  one  of  the  most  showy. 
The  flowers  appear  in  August,  and  continue  their  brilliancy, 
under  favorable  conditions,  until  October. 

H.  prolificum  is  a  larger  shrub  than  either  of  the  pre- 
ceding, growing  four  to  six  feet,  and  with  a  wide-spreading 


64  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

head.  The  branches  are  covered  with  light  red  bark, 
which  separates  easily  into  a  multitude  of  thin  scales. 
The  flowers  are  large  and  showy,  produced  in  terminal 
clusters,  and  continuing  from  July  to  September. 

H.  densiflorum  is  a  shrub  four  to  six  feet  high,  with 
numerous  slender  branches  and  a  multitude  of  small  but 
conspicuous  yellow  blossoms  in  compound  cymes.  It  is 
comparatively  new  to  cultivation,  but  bids  fair  to  win  a 
place  among  our  most  popular  sorts.  It  adapts  itself 
readily  to  sandy  and  comparatively  barren  soils,  where  it 
often  thrives  ;  but,  like  other  plants,  prefers  more  favorable 
conditions. 

H.  adprcssum  is  almost  a  creeper,  and  grows  wild  in 
southern  New  England,  preferring  moist  locations.  As  it 
is  indigenous  to  Nantucket  and  the  islands  of  Vineyard 
Sound,  it  will  undoubtedly  thrive  anywhere  at  the  seaside 
where  a  low  plant  is  desired  for  covering  bare  spots  or  for 
edgings.  It  seldom  rises  above  two  feet.  The  leaves  are 
oblong,  acute,  and  thin  ;  the  flowers,  bright  yellow,  and 
covering  the  bush  during  most  of  July  and  August. 

H.  patulatum  is  also  a  spreading  St.  John's-wort.  It  is 
a  native  of  Japan,  and  is  probably,  all  things  considered, 
preferable  to  the  preceding,  though  having  the  same 
general  characteristics.  The  flowers  are  bright  yellow, 
opening  in  the  summer  and  continuing  until  early  frosts. 

H.  buckleyi  is  a  native  of  the  mountainous  regions  of 
the  Carolinas,  and,  though  hardy  in  most  parts  of  the 
United  States,  is  but  little  known.  It  is  described  as  a 
small  shrub  with  slender  branches  covered  with  loose, 
reddish  bark.  The  leaves,  green  above  and  paler  beneath, 


Hypericum — St.  John's-wort.  65 

are  two  inches  or  more  in  length,  oblong,  rounded  at  the 
apex  and  narrowing  to  the  base.  The  flowers,  terminal 
and  solitary,  an  inch  in  diameter,  are  very  pretty. 

H.  moserianum. — This  is  acknowledged  to  be  one  of 
the  very  best  low-growing  plants  of  recent  introduction. 
Its  habit  is  free  and  graceful ;  it  produces  long,  slender, 
much-branched  stems,  leafy  to  the  base  and  drooping 
towards  the  ends.  It  is  free-flowering,  each  blossom 
measuring  from  two  to  two  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter, 
in  color  a  rich  golden  yellow,  which  is  rendered  still  more 
effective  by  the  numerous  yellow  stamens  and  crimson 
anthers.  It  blooms  continuously  the  entire  season,  and 
whether  used  as  a  bedding  plant,  for  borders,  or  as  single 
specimens,  is  equally  desirable.  There  is  some  question 
as  to  its  hardiness  as  far  north  as  New  England,  where  it 
sometimes  fails  to  withstand  the  winters  unless  afforded 
protection.  But  in  the  Middle  and  Southern  States  it  is 
sure  to  prove  of  the  highest  value.  Its  height  is  from 
two  to  three  feet,  and  it  is  of  very  easy  cultivation. 

H.  oblongi folium. — This  is  sometimes  catalogued  as  H. 
hooker ianum,  which  may  be  regarded  as  a  synonym,  as 
the  two  certainly  represent  the  same  plant.  The  flowers 
are  large  and  bright  yellow,  though  the  bush  is  not  as  free 
a  bloomer  as  some  of  its  class.  They  are  sufficient,  how- 
ever, to  make  it  very  desirable  in  the  shrubbery  or  border, 
where  midsummer  blossoms  are  especially  desired.  It 
grows  but  about  two  feet,  and  is  nearly  an  evergreen  and 
quite  so  in  the  Southern  States.  In  the  North  it  needs 
slight  protection,  and  does  best  in  half-shaded  situations. 
It  is  a  native  of  Nepaul.  Others  which  may  be  mentioned 


66  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

as  desirable  are  H.  elatum,  a  native  of  the  United  States, 
which  rises  about  three  to  four  feet,  whose  blossoms  are 
small  but  produced  in  great  profusion  on  the  numerous 
slender-growing  branches,  and  H.  hircinum,  which  grows 
to  about  the  same  height  and  has  paler  yellow  flowers, 
with  very  long  stamens  whose  prominence  gives  the  bush 
a  somewhat  peculiar  appearance  and  makes  it  quite  attrac- 
tive. It  is  a  product  of  the  Mediterranean  countries. 

PHILLYREA. 

A  GEN  US  of  Oleacecz  consisting  of  but  four 
species.  These  are  all  natives  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean countries,  and  have  long  been  known  but 
not  freely  employed  in  cultivation,  thus  helping  swell  the 
large  list  of  neglected  plants  that  are  worthy  of  a  more 
generous  recognition.  Two  kinds  only  are  reputed  suffi- 
ciently hardy  for  general  cultivation  in  the  United  States. 

P.  media  is  a  vigorous-growing  bush  of  a  spreading 
habit,  ten  to  twelve  feet  high,  with  lanceolate  leaves,  entire, 
veiny,  and  of  a  very  distinct  appearance.  The  flowers  are 
white,  appearing  in  early  spring  and  followed  by  fruit  in 
one-  or  two-seeded  drupes  of  long  continuance.  It  is  not 
suited  to  the  New  England  climate,  but  in  the  southern 
Middle  States  would  prove  an  acquisition.  There  is  a 
pendulous  variety  of  much  merit,  sometimes  known  as 
olczfolia,  or  ligustrifolia,  which  is  worthy  of  notice. 

P.  vilmoriniana  is  counted  more  hardy  and  is  coming 
into  favor  in  English  gardens.  Its  leaves  very  much 
resemble  those  of  the  Portugal  laurel,  being  large  and 
leathery,  dark  green  tinted  with  bronze  on  their  first 


Erica — Calluna — Heath.  67 

appearance.  It  produces  large,  fragrant,  white  blossoms  in 
axillary  clusters,  in  May  or  June.  It  does  well  in  any 
light  friable  soil  and  can  safely  be  planted  in  our  Southern 
and  Southwestern  States. 

ERICA— CALLUNA— Heath. 

THE  ericas  are  said  to  include  more  than  four 
hundred  species,  some  say  nine  hundred,  and 
these  have  in  turn  given  off  almost  numberless 
varieties.  Most  of  these  are  too  tender  for  out-of-door 
cultivation  even  in  the  Southern  States,  and  only  a  very 
few  are  found  to  thrive  in  more  northern  localities.  They 
are  largely  natives  of  the  southern  hemisphere,  especially 
of  Africa,  and  but  very  few  are  adapted  to  temperate 
climates  on  either  side  of  the  equator.  Under  favorable 
climatic  influences  they  retain  their  foliage  during  the 
winter  and  so  are  mostly  classed  as  evergreen,  but  in  this 
country  they  scarcely  answer  to  that  description,  though 
even  here  their  foliage  is  persistent,  usually  holding  on 
until  late  autumn.  The  flowers  are  mostly  nodding, 
axillary,  or  terminal,  produced  in  fascicles  and  in  many 
colors.  The  typical  form  of  the  blossom  is  tubular  with 
the  mouth  somewhat  contracted,  and  from  one  to  four 
inches  in  length. 

As  a  rule,  the  ericas  require  more  care  and  attention 
than  most  other  plants  in  ordinary  garden  cultivation,  and 
are  more  particular  as  to  situations.  In  all  cases  a  peaty 
soil  is  preferred,  though  any  good  friable  compost  such  as 
will  answer  for  the  rhododendron  or  the  azalea  will  serve  a 
good  purpose.  A  soil  of  stiff  clay  or  one  impregnated 


68 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


ERICA    FRAQRANS. 


with  lime  proves  fatal  to  success.      But  with  all  these  draw- 
backs it  is  surprising  that  the  heaths  are  not  more  generally 

planted  in  this  country  than  they 
are.  Equal  and  even  more  at- 
tention is  bestowed  on  many 
sorts  in  no  wise  superior,  and 
with  less  satisfactory  results. 
Their  flowering  season  covers 
almost  the  entire  year,  though 
no  single  variety  is  a  perpetual 
bloomer.  But  by  a  proper  selec- 
tion from  among  the  various 
forms  these  little  plants  become 
objects  of  interest  and  pleasure 
in  spring  and  summer,  autumn  and  winter. 

As  greenhouse  and  conservatory  plants  many  of  them 
are  highly  esteemed,  and  whole  houses  are  often  devoted 
to  their  cultivation.  Both  in  the  greenhouse  and  garden 
there  is  wide  range  for  selection.  Some  of  the  species  are 
small  and  especially  suited  to  growing  in  borders  and 
edgings.  Others  are  larger  and  well  adapted  to  massing 
or  appearing  as  single  specimens.  Some  blossom  in  early 
spring,  others  in  midsummer  to  late  autumn  and  even  in 
early  winter.  The  numbers  of  species  and  varieties  are  so 
great  that  no  attempt  will  be  made  at  description  except  in 
a  general  way.  Nor  will  any  attempt  be  made  at  scientific 
accuracy  in  names  and  qualities. 

Almost  every  one  has  heard  of  the  interesting  little 
shrub  known  as  the  Scotch  heath  or  heather,  and  though, 
botanically,  this  is  classed  as  calluna  it  is  such  an  impor- 


Erica — Cal  1  una — H  eath. 


69 


tant  member  of  the  family  that  the  popular  conception  may 
well  be  recognized  in  this  connection.  C.  vulgaris,  the 
Scotch  heath,  grows  from  one  to  three  feet,  with  purplish 
flowers,  disposed  in  long,  terminal,  spicate  racemes,  from 


HARDY    ERICA. 


July  to  September.  It  is  common  to  nearly  all  northern 
and  central  Europe,  especially  on  the  hillsides  and  in  waste 
places  which,  by  its  presence,  are  made  beautiful.  Unlike 
many  of  the  more  delicate  ericas,  these  are  able  to  endure 
many  hardships.  They  grow  in  thin  soils  and  thrive  in 


70  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

exposures  that  few  plants  are  able  to  endure.  Some  of 
the  varieties  are  especially  beautiful  and  should  be  selected 
for  garden  cultivation  in  preference  to  the  original  form, 
whenever  they  can  be  procured.  There  is  a  white-flower- 
ing plant  that  is  very  p/retty  ;  a  flesh-colored,  one  much 
admired  ;  and  others  with  double  blossoms,  though  these 
are  not  always  improvements.  There  are  also  varieties 
with  golden  and  silver-colored  shoots,  that  are  exceed- 
ingly attractive  both  in  flower  and  foliage,  and  especially 
adapted  to  planting  in  masses,  and  the  wonder  is  that  they 
are  not  more  freely  used.  In  short,  all  the  heaths  known 
as  callunas  are  worthy  of  attention. 

RHAMNUS— Buckthorn. 

THE  buckthorn  family,  Rhamnacece,  is  widely  dis- 
tributed throughout  Europe,  northern  Africa, 
Asia,  and  America,  and,  though  preferring  a  warm 
climate,  most  of  the  species  thrive  also  in  the  temperate 
zones.  It  is  believed  that  the  lotus  fruit  spoken  of  by 
Homer  was  a  product  of  a  member  of  this  family,  though 
not  that  which  is  now  known  to  us  in  cultivation.  The 
buckthorn  proper,  rhamnus,  constitutes  a  tribe  of  more 
than  thirty  species,  a  few  only  of  which  are  found  in  the 
United  States.  They  are  all  large  shrubs  or  small  trees 
with  opposite  leaves,  minute,  fragrant  flowers,  and  stony 
fruit. 

The  species  known  as  the  common  buckthorn,  R. 
catharticus,  is  found  growing  wild  in  New  England, 
though  Emerson  expresses  the  opinion  that  it  was  probably 


Stephanandra  Flexuosa.  71 

brought  here  from  Europe  and  has  made  its  way  from  the 
gardens  into  the  fields  and  woods.  It  grows  from  ten  to 
twenty  feet  high,  with  a  smooth  stem  and  gray  or  olive- 
tinted  branches.  These  are  numerous,  stiff,  and  well 
supplied  with  thorns.  The  leaves  are  ovate,  notched,  and 
marked  with  hairy  veins  beneath,  though  smooth  on  the 
upper  surface.  The  flowers  are  small  but  numerous, 
growing  in  clusters,  of  various  colors  but  mostly  pink  and 
white,  and  are  followed  by  berries  which  become  black 
when  ripe,  and  hang  late  into  the  autumn.  The  buckthorn 
is  much  planted  for  hedges  in  England,  and,  when  properly 
trained,  constitutes  an  almost  impassable  barrier  to  man 
and  beast.  It  makes  a  fairly  good  ornamental  plant, 
though  not  in  general  use  for  that  purpose,  partly,  per- 
haps, because  of  its  slow  growth. 

STEPHANANDRA  FLEXUOSA. 

THIS  is  a  genus  of  Rosacece  of  but  a  single  species.  It 
is  closely  related  to  the  spiraeas  and  very  much 
resembles  some  of  the  most  .valuable  members  of 
that  family.  It  is  supposed  to  be  of  Japanese  origin,  and  is 
certainly  an  interesting  low-growing  shrub,  seldom  more 
than  six  feet  in  height.  The  small  branches  are  numerous 
and  the  foliage  dense  and  compact.  This  is  distinguished 
by  being  deeply  and  finely  cut  or  toothed,  and  taking 
on  a  purplish-red  tint  in  its  young  growth  and  again  in 
autumn,  being  of  a  rich  glossy  green  during  the  summer. 
The  flowers  are  small,  but  so  numerous  as  to  cover  the 
whole  bush  late  in  June  or  the  early  part  of  July.  Many 


72  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

regard  it  as  one  of  the  best  of  recent  introductions, 
as  it  serves  a  good  purpose  whether  planted  singly,  in 
groups,  or  in  front  of  taller  growths.  Such  plants,  beauti- 
ful in  both  foliage  and  flower,  are  to  be  preferred  to  many 
of  those  which  possess  but  a  single  virtue. 

COLUTEA. 

THE  coluteas  constitute  an  interesting  genus,  of  the 
order  Legiiminosa,  which  have  long  been  known 
to  Old-World  cultivation  and  are  now  somewhat 
widely  distributed  in  America.  They  are  all  rapid  growers 
and  of  easy  cultivation,  being  not  over  particular  as  to 
soils  and  situations,  though  thriving  better  on  dry  land 
than  in  peat  and  excessively  wet  locations.  In  some 
European  countries  they  were  at  one  time  much  planted 
as  ornamental  hedges,  though  now  superseded  in  that  re- 
spect by  newer  and  better  adaptations.  The  genus  is  not 
large,  but  it  exhibits  peculiarities  of  such  a  striking 
character  that  specimens  may  well  be  planted  in  every 
considerable  garden. 

C.  arbor  escens. — This  is  doubtless  the  best  known  and 
most  widely  distributed  member  of  the  family,  and  every- 
where answers  a  good  purpose  in  decorative  planting.  In 
some  countries  it  is  known  as  the  bladder  senna,  from 
medicinal  uses  to  which  the  leaves  have  been  put.  It  is  a 
native  of  Italy,  where  it  grows  to  a  height  of  six  to  ten 
feet  and  forms  a  rather  open  but  well-rounded  head 
covered  with  glaucous  green  foliage.  The  leaves  are  com- 
pound, with  seven  to  nine  elliptic  leaflets,  which  hold  their 


Colutea.  73 

somewhat  peculiar  green  color  well  into  autumn.  The 
flowers  resemble  the  famous  sweet  pea  in  form,  but  are 
less  conspicuous.  The  blossoms  are  yellow,  and  con- 
tinue in  succession  during  the  entire  summer.  They  are 
succeeded  by  bladdery  pods,  two  to  three  inches  in  length, 
containing  the  seed,  which  also  hang  long,  so  that  we 
have  the  bush  in  flower  and  fruit  at  the  same  time  and  for 
a  protracted  period.  These  yellow  blossoms  and  the  thin, 
almost  pellucid  pods,  hanging  among  the  green  leaves 
make  it  an  object  of  interest  to  almost  every  one  who 
comes  into  its  presence.  This  bush  is  one  of  the  few 
which  brave  the  terrors  of  Mount  Vesuvius,  growing  to  the 
very  summit,  and  is  found  occasionally  even  within  the 
circle  of  the  crater,  where  vegetation  can  scarcely  gain  a 
foothold.  Such  a  fact  ought  to  suggest  its  adaptation  to 
dry  and  sandy  plains  and  other  locations  which  it  is 
difficult  to  cover  with  herbage.  No  one  would  be  likely 
to  suspect  that  such  a  slender-looking  shrub  would  with- 
stand such  exposures  and  thrive  where  so  very  little  else 
can  endure.  There  is  a  variety  of  much  smaller  dimen- 
sions, known  as  C.  a.  pygmcza,  which  is  also  a  shapely  bush 
and  may  be  of  service  where  space  is  limited. 

C.  criienta  is  much  the  same  as  the  preceding,  except 
that  it  grows  only  from  four  to  six  feet  and  has  blossoms 
tinted  with  pale  red  or  blood-color.  These  also  appear  in 
early  summer,  and  are  continuous  in  succession  for  a  long 
time.  The  leaflets,  which  are  from  seven  to  nine  in  number, 
are  smaller  and  more  glaucous  that  in  the  preceding.  It  is  a 
very  pretty  plant.  C.  hallepica  is  another  form  with  larger 
yellow  flowers  than  either  of  the  other  species.  It  grows 


74  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

from  three  to  five  feet.  C.  media,  as  its  name  indicates, 
is  intermediate  in  its  proportions,  and  has  bright  orange- 
yellow  flowers.  There  are  few  or  no  varieties  in  cultivation 
sufficiently  distinct  to  call  for  special  mention. 

CRATyEGUS— Thorn. 

IT  has  been  said  that  the  thorns  produce  a  greater 
variety  of  beautiful  small  trees  and  shrubs  than  any 
other  family.  This  may  be  true,  but  it  will  not 
readily  command  universal  assent.  Still  the  numerous 
species  and  varieties  possess  peculiar  attractions  and  some 
of  them  have  long  been  noted  for  their  excellences. 
They  appear  both  as  shrubs  and  trees,  and  can  be  easily 
trained  and  shaped  to  suit  the  purposes  of  the  propagator. 
Some  of  the  best  known  species  are  natives  of  North 
America,  and  have  been  carried  to  Europe  and  widely 
distributed.  Others  have  been  brought  from  the  Old 
World  to  the  New,  and  have  been  received  with  equal 
favor.  Nearly  all  the  species  are  beautiful  in  leaf,  flower, 
and  fruit.  The  botanical  name,  cratagus,  originally  given 
to  the  hawthorn,  is  derived  from  the  Greek  kratos,  signify- 
ing strength,  and  is  fitly  applied. 

English  hawthorn,  C.  oxyacantha,  has  been  famous  in 
England  for  many  generations  and  is  also  well  known 
throughout  all  northern  Europe.  Grown  in  upright  form, 
it  makes  a  well-shaped  tree,  sometimes  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet  in  height.  It  bears  the  shears  well,  and  can  be  kept 
within  such  small  proportions  as  may  be  desired,  and 
shaped  at  will.  It  is  distinguished  for  its  rigid  stems, 


Crataegus — Thorn. 


75 


numerous  sharp  spines,  and  attractive  foliage.  The  leaves 
are  obovate,  deeply  lobed  and  toothed,  somewhat  wedge- 
shaped  at  the  base,  smooth,  and  glossy.  The  flowers  are 
white,  very  fragrant,  and  mostly  arranged  in  corymbs. 
These  are  followed  by  deep  red  fruit  which  hangs  long  on 
the  bush  and  is  quite  showy.  In  Europe  the  hawthorn  is 
extensively  used  for  hedges,  not  only  for  its  beauty  but  be- 
cause it  furnishes  pro- 
tection alike  against 
man  and  beast ;  but 
it  has  never  been 
popular  as  a  hedge 
plant  in  America. 
The  species  takes  its  popular  name 
from  the  berries  which  in  England  are 
called  haws.  There  are  several  vari- 
eties of  much  value,  the  best  of  which 
are  as  follows  :  C.  o.  rosea,  pink-flower- 
ing, differs  from  the  type  chiefly  in  the 
color  of  its  blossoms.  In  this  case 
the  petals  are  rose-colored,  or  pink, 
with  the  tips  or  claws  bordered  with 
white,  and  a  well-grown  tree  in  full 
bloom  never  fails  to  secure  admi- 
ration. C.  o.  rosea  siiperba  has  larger  petals,  which  are 
dark  red  or  crimson  without  the  white  tips,  and  is  very  fine. 
There  are  several  double-flowering  forms,  one  of  which, 
C.  o.  flore  pleno  albo,  has  large  white,  double  flowers  in 
great  abundance,  shading  to  pink  before  they  fall.  C.  o. 
coccinca  duplicates  the  last  by  producing  similar  blossoms 


FLOWERING    BRANCH 
OF  CRAT/EQUS  OXYACANTHA. 


76  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

in  pink  or  scarlet,  and  a  variation  from  this,  known  as 
Paul's  double-scarlet,  marks  still  another  advance.  In 
each  of  these  the  individual  flowers  are  miniature  rosettes 
and  are  very  interesting.  What  is  known  as  the  Glaston- 
bury  thorn,  C.  o.  pr&cox,  is  so  named  because  of  its 
supposed  origin  at  Glastonbury  Abbey.  It  is  remarkable 
from  the  fact  that  it  flowers  much  earlier  than  the  original. 
In  England  its  blossoms  often  appear  at  Christmas  and 
again  late  in  the  following  summer.  In  the  United  States 
it  is  one  of  the  earliest  to  put  forth  its  foliage,  appearing 
at  its  best  farther  south  than  New  England  or  New  York. 
Numerous  other  departures  from  the  original  appear,  some 
with  different-colored  fruit,  and  others  having  foliage 
variegated,  sometimes  with  yellow  and  sometimes  with 
white  ;  but  none  with  characteristics  so  peculiar  in  these 
respects  as  to  call  for  special  notice. 

The  American  hawthorns,  though  usually  spoken  of 
simply  as  thorns,  are  also  rich  in  species  and  varieties. 
They  include  about  one  third  of  all  the  kinds  known,  and 
are  almost  invariably  hardy  and  worthy  of  cultivation, 
though  such  as  are  natives  of  the  Gulf  States  should  not  be 
transplanted  to  the  North  where  the  winters  are  severe. 
Among  the  best  of  these  are  the  following :  C.  crus-galli, 
cockspur  thorn,  is  pronounced  by  some  authorities  the  best 
of  all  American  sorts,  but  there  is  little  reason  for  giving 
it  such  especial  prominence.  As  a  small  tree,  it  grows 
freely  in  almost  any  good  soil  and  is  worthy  of  general 
cultivation.  The  stem  is  erect,  throwing  off  branches  in 
whorls,  which  grow  almost  at  right  angles  with  the  trunk. 
This  gives  the  head  a  stratified  appearance  and  adds  to  its 


78  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

attractions.  The  leaves  are  dark  green,  almost  glossy 
above,  thick  and  inversely  wedge-shaped  or  obovate.  In 
autumn  they  assume  a  rich  coloring.  The  flowers  are 
white  tinged  with  pink  or  red.  Fruit,  round,  edible,  and 
of  a  scarlet  or  sometimes  a  dull  red  color,  hanging  on  the 
branches  far  into  the  winter.  The  species  will  do  better 
in  partial  shade  than  most  other  sorts.  It  grows  from  ten 
to  twenty  feet,  and  blossoms  in  June. 

C.  coccinea,  scarlet  thorn,  is  a  native  species  of  great 
value,  spreading  over  a  wide  range  of  territory  and  every- 
where much  admired.  It  is  a  small  tree  rising  from  ten 
to  twenty  feet,  and  in  every  way  well  proportioned.  The 
numerous  wedge-shaped,  thin  leaves  are  bright,  soft  and 
pleasant  to  the  eye.  The  bark  on  the  stem  is  rough,  with 
a  grayish  cast,  but  on  the  smaller  branches  it  is  often 
smooth  and  of  an  olive-green  or  reddish  shade.  The 
spines  are  strong  and  sharp,  well  calculated  to  resist  in- 
truders. The  flowers  are  white  and  pretty,  appearing  in 
early  June,  and  followed  by  bright  scarlet  berries  that 
hang  long  and  present  a  striking  appearance.  It  is  their 
prominence  which  gave  the  name  to  the  species  by  which 
it  is  properly  known. 

The  species  has  given  off  a  large  number  of  varieties, 
some  of  which  prove  of  horticultural  worth.  This  is 
especially  true  in  the  case  of  C.  c.  macrantha,  which  by 
most  authorities  is  ascribed  to  this  origin,  though  some 
are  disposed  to  raise  it  to  the  dignity  of  an  independent 
species.  Professor  Bailey  points  out  several  qualities  in 
which  it  diverges  from  the  coccinea,  among  which  is  the  fra- 
grance of  its  blossoms.  He  says  that  in  this  respect  it  is 


Crataegus — Thorn.  79 

entirely  different  from  the  scarlet  thorn,  which  possesses 
anything  but  an  agreeable  odor.  "  A  bush  of  the  long- 
spurred  thorn  when  in  flower  scents  the  air  for  a  consider- 
able distance."  Other  reasons  are  given  which  appear  to 
be  convincing,  but  they  need  not  be  discussed  in  this  con- 
nection. This  long-spurred  thorn  is  found  growing  in  a 
state  of  nature  from  the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
Minnesota,  and  proves  perfectly  hardy  throughout  all  the 
Northern  and  Middle  States  ;  and  it  will  probably  adapt 
itself  to  even  more  southern  situations. 

What  is  known  as  the  white  thorn  is  supposed  to  be 
also  a  variety  of  the  scarlet,  and  by  others  it,  too,  is  raised 
to  the  dignity  of  a  species.  It  is  known  as  C.  mollis  and 
is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  conspicuous  of  the  tribe. 
Garden  and  Forest  says :  "In  cultivation  the  white 
thorn  is  a  beautiful  plant,  of  rapid  growth  and  good  habit, 
conspicuous  in  winter  for  the  whiteness  of  its  branches  and 
for  the  number  of  its  large  chestnut-brown  shining  spines. 
The  flowers,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  one  species 
of  the  Southern  States,  are  the  largest  produced  by  any 
member  of  the  genus.  The  leaves  are  large  and  of  a  lively 
green,  and  the  fruit,  which  is  as  large  as  that  of  a  small 
crab-apple,  is  brilliant  scarlet  with  a  conspicuous  bloom." 

C.  pyracanthafructo  luteo. — This  is  an  evergreen  thorn, 
and  one  of  our  most  desirable  plants  for  the  lawn  or 
garden.  As  it  is  not  large,  it  is  well  to  plant  three  or  five 
so  that  they  will  combine  in  appearance  as  one  plant,  when 
they  will  make  a  well-rounded,  bushy  form,  ten  feet,  or 
perhaps  more,  in  height,  and  as  many  in  diameter  as  may 
be  desired  by  the  planter.  The  leaves  change  to  a  brown- 


8o 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


\ 


ish  purple  in  the  winter,  and  are  very  effective  in  such 
situations.  In  fact,  there  is  scarcely  any  shrub  that  makes 
a  better  appearance  on  the  lawn,  taking  the  year  as  a 
whole,  than  this.  As  a  hedge-plant  it  is  even  more 

especially  desirable. 
It  is  true  that  its 
growth  is  slow  and  it 
takes  some  time  to 
secure  a  good  stand, 
but  when  the  result 
is  obtained  nothing 
in  the  line  of  hedges 
is  more  beautiful. 
The  branches  are 
small,  numerous, 
compact,  and  run  into 
each  other  to  such  an 
extent  that  the  whole 
line  appears  as 
though  it  might  be  a 
single  growth.  In 
spring  and  summer, 
the  glossy  foliage  is 
covered  with  fragrant  white  flowers,  followed  by  bright  or- 
ange or  scarlet  berries  which  add  much  to  its  attractiveness. 
C.  p.  lalandii  is  a  variety  with  larger  leaves,  and  even  more 
beautiful,  but,  unfortunately,  like  the  type  in  the  North,  it 
is  not  entirely  hardy.  The  evergreen  thorns  cannot  be  re- 
lied upon  beyond  the  limits  of  southern  New  England. 
C.  pyracantha  cuneata  is  cultivated  under  the  name  of 


CRATVEGUS  SPATHULATA. 


Magnolia.  81 

cratczgus  spathulata.  It  has  bright  scarlet  fruit  which 
hangs  on  during  the  winter  among  the  purplish,  persistent 
leaves,  making  it  a  very  ornamental  plant. 


MAGNOLIA. 

THE  magnolias  constitute  an  interesting  family,  and 
as  a  whole  are  unsurpassed  among  hardy  trees  in 
beauty  of  foliage  and  flower.  They  are  widely 
distributed  both  in  the  Old  World  and  the  New,  and  in 
higher  and  lower  latitudes,  some  being  deciduous  and 
others  evergreen.  As  classified  by  the  botanists  there  are 
about  twenty  species  and  an  equal  or  greater  number  of 
varieties  known  in  cultivation.  Some  are  natives  of  tropical 
Asia,  and  others  of  the  colder  portions  of  the  temperate 
zone.  A  few  are  found  in  the  West  Indies,  New  Zealand, 
and  Australia,  and  a  much  larger  number  come  from  China, 
Japan,  the  Crimean  and  Himalayan  Mountains.  Several 
are  natives  of  North  America  and  indigenous  to  the 
United  States.  But,  wherever  found,  their  attractions 
have  been  such  that  the  better  sorts  have  become  common 
property  throughout  the  horticultural  world. 

A  large  number  of  species  and  varieties  blossom  in 
early  spring  before  the  foliage  appears.  In  this  case  the 
flower-buds  are  formed  and  fully  grown  the  previous 
summer,  and  so  are  ready  to  respond  to  the  first  genial 
breath  of  spring.  It  is  astonishing  how  quickly  these 
trees  are  clothed  with  flowers  as  the  winter  wears  away, 
and  how  fully  the  promise  of  the  last  year's  growth  is 
fulfilled.  None  of  the  American  species  are  of  this  class, 

6 


82 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


as  with  them,  together  with  many  foreign  varieties,  the 
foliage  precedes  the  flowers,  though  all  are  early  spring 
bloomers.  Only  a  few  are  evergreens,  but  the  leaves 
of  many  of  the  deciduous  species  are  so  persistent  and 
hold  on  so  long  in  autumn  that  it  might  not  require  a 
very  great  change  in  climatic  conditions  to  enable  them 
also  to  be  clothed  with  living  green.  In  most  cases  the 
leaves  are  large  and  inclined  to  be  fleshy,  alternate,  entire, 
and  sometimes  dotted  with  pellucid  spots,  giving  them  a 
rich  and  attractive  appearance.  The  fruit  usually  grows 
in  a  cone  or  hard,  compact  cluster,  which  becomes  scarlet 
or  bright  red  during  the  period  of  ripening.  As  the  seeds 
drop  out  they  may  often  be  seen  hanging  by  a  slender 

thread  several  inches 
below  the  bunch  in 
which  they  matured. 
They  consist  of  small, 
hard  nuts  covered  with 
a  pale-red,  fleshy  sub- 
stance which  should  be 
removed  before  plant- 
ing. Without  observing 
any  prescribed  order 
or  classification,  the 
following  list  is  given 
as  including  the  more 
desirable  hardy  forms 
MAGNOLIA  GLAUCA.  adapted  to  cultivation  : 

M.  glauca,  known  in  some  localities  as  sweet  bay,  and 
in  others  as  swamp  laurel,  is  the  only  species  that  is  known 


Magnolia.  83 

to  be  indigenous  to  New  England,  its  northern  limit  being 
in  the  swamps  of  Cape  Ann  near  the  sea.  It  grows 
freely  in  the  southern  Middle  States,  where  it  appears  as  a 
well-formed,  small  tree,  and  can  be  safely  transplanted  as 
far  north  as  Canada.  The  foliage  is  good,  the  leaves  being 
elliptic  in  form,  from  three  to  five  inches  in  length,  dark 
green  above  and  whitish  beneath.  The  flowers  are  white, 
composed  of  nine  delicate  petals  tapering  at  the  base, 
and  arranged  in  three  circles  which  unfold  in  succession. 
They  appear  in  May  or  June,  are  fragrant  and  of  long 
continuance  on  the  branches.  Though  not  one  of  the 
most  conspicuous  members  of  the  family  it  is  worthy  of 
more  attention  in  garden  planting  than  is  usually  accorded 
to  it. 

M.  conspiC2ia,  known  also  as  the  yulan,  as  it  was  intro- 
duced from  a  Chinese  province  by  that  name,  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  of  all  the  hardy  magnolias,  and  has  come  to 
be  planted  accordingly.  It  grows  to  be  a  tree  in  some- 
what shrubby  form,  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high,  and 
with  numerous  branches.  The  foliage  is  good,  the  flowers 
large,  pearly  white,  and  produced  in  such  profusion  as  to 
almost  hide  the  stems  and  branches  from  observation. 
They  are  cup-shaped,  from  seven  to  nine  inches  long  and 
three  to  five  across,  appearing  just  as  the  leaf-buds  begin 
to  open.  I  have  counted  twelve  hundred  of  these  great 
blossoms  upon  a  single  tree  growing  in  Newport,  which 
for  many  years  has  not  once  failed  to  be  such  an  object  of 
beauty  as  to  attract  visitors,  who  never  weary  of  admiring 
and  praising  it.  The  tree  is  reasonably  hardy,  but  does 
best  when  planted  on  the  southerly  side  of  a  wall,  where 


84 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


the  wood  is  better  ripened  and  the  large  autumn  buds  more 
fully  developed. 


MAGNOLIA    CONSPICUA. 


M.  hypoleuca,  sometimes  called  the  silver-leaved  magno- 
lia, is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  is  one  of  the  most  striking 
and  attractive  members  of  the  family.  According  to 
Professor  Sargent,  who  studied  it  in  its  native  forests  on 
the  island  of  Yezo,  it  sometimes  rises  to  the  height  of  more 
than  a  hundred  feet,  and  is  a  valuable  timber  tree,  though 
in  garden  cultivation  it  does  not  appear  to  have  anywhere 


Magnolia.  85 

reached  such  proportions.  It  is  emphatically  a  northern 
species,  and  may  not  be  at  its  best  in  locations  where  winters 
are  not  more  or  less  severe,  and  where  the  ground  is  not 
covered  with  snow  a  portion  of  the  year.  This  will 
certainly  recommend  it  to  a  large  constituency.  The  leaves 
are  from  twelve  to  twenty  inches  long,  and  seven  or  eight 
inches  broad,  bright  green  on  the  upper  surface  and  pale 
steel-blue  or  silvery  white  on  the  lower.  The  flowers  are 
from  five  to  seven  inches  in  diameter,  with  creamy-white 
petals  and  brilliant  scarlet  filaments.  They  are  very 
fragrant,  and  appear  after  the  foliage  is  fully  expanded. 

M.  kobus  is  also  Japanese,  common  to  the  forests  in 
that  country,  and  of  but  recent  introduction  to  garden 
cultivation.  In  its  native  habitat  it  grows  to  the  height  of 
from  seventy  to  eighty  feet,  with  a  straight  trunk  nearly 
two  feet  in  diameter  and  covered  with  slightly  colored 
bark.  The  head  is  described  as  pyramidal  in  old  speci- 
mens, round,  and  with  short,  slender  branches.  The 
flowers  appear  early  and  in  advance  of  the  foliage.  They 
are  white,  slightly  tinged  with  yellow,  from  four  to  five 
inches  across,  and  without  special  fragrance.  The  leaves 
are  obovate,  bluish  green,  six  or  seven  inches  in  length  and 
about  half  as  broad.  It  has  the  bad  reputation  of  not 
blossoming  when  young  like  some  others,  so  that  in  plant- 
ing for  early  effects  one  should  procure  as  old  and  large 
trees  as  possible.  It  appears  to  be  hardy,  and  even  in  the 
absence  of  flowers  is  a  desirable  acquisition. 

M.  salicifolia. — In  his  visit  to  the  Japanese  forests, 
Professor  Sargent  found,  and  describes,  another  magnolia, 
to  which  the  above  name  has  been  given.  He  speaks  of  it 


86  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

as  growing  on  mountains  two  to  three  thousand  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  and  also  as  found  in  swamps,  as  well 
as  in  dry  situations.  It  thus  appears  on  Mount  Hakkodo, 
where  it  is  a  slender  tree  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high,  with 
ovate,  acute  leaves,  light  green  above  and  silvery  white 
below.  These  are  some  six  inches  long,  two  inches  broad, 
and  borne  on  slender,  short  petioles.  As  he  did  not  see 
the  tree  in  flower — and  it  is  not  known  to  have  blossomed 
in  this  country  or  Europe — the  peculiarities  of  the  flower 
are  not  fully  known. 

M.  soulangeana  is  one  of  the  hardiest  members  of  the 
family.  It  is  an  importation  from  China,  and  supposed  by 
some  authorities  to  be  a  hybrid,  produced,  through  natural 
causes,  between  M.  conspicua  and  M.  p^lrpurea.  The  tree 
does  not  grow  so  tall  as  the  former,  but  forms  a  low,  spread- 
ing head,  and  produces  immense  blossoms,  white,  with 
purple  at  the  base,  affording  a  very  attractive  combination. 
It  has  the  advantage  of  blossoming  later  than  the  conspicua, 
and  so  helps  maintain  a  succession.  M.  speciosa  is  also  a 
Chinese  hybrid.  The  flowers  are  somewhat  smaller  than 
those  of  the  soulangeana,  appear  still  later,  and  remain 
longer  on  the  tree.  They  are  red  and  white,  or  rose- 
colored,  and  afford  a  marked  contrast  with  some  of  the 
others  described.  This  variation  from  the  prevailing 
colors  and  the  period  of  blossoming  makes  it  especially 
desirable  in  grouping. 

M.  stellata. — Few  small  trees  or  shrubs  are  more  beauti- 
ful than  this,  whether  planted  singly  or  in  groups  of  three 
or  four.  It  is  a  low-growing  species  from  Japan,  seldom 
rising  more  than  eight  feet,  with  spreading  branches  which 


Magnolia.  87 

in  early  spring  are  crowded  with  white  blossoms  in  advance 
of  the  foliage.  The  leaves  are  from  three  to  five  inches 
long,  elliptic  in  form,  and  abundant.  The  flowers  are  also 
small,  some  three  inches  across,  with  about  fifteen  narrow 
petals,  slightly  reflexed,  encompassing  a  cluster  of  bright 
yellow  stamens.  They  are  somewhat  star-shaped,  fragrant, 
and  of  longer  continuance  than  those  of  most  of  the 
species  and  varieties.  The  plant  is  of  slow  growth,  but 
has  the  advantage  of  coming  into  blossom  when  very 
small,  and,  under  favoring  conditions,  every  season.  It  is 
claimed  to  be  the  earliest  bloomer  of  all  the  magnolias,  as 
well  as  the  most  profuse.  Its  usefulness  in  the  garden  is 
sometimes  impaired  by  late  frosts  and  heavy  rains,  as  it 
does  not  always  wait  for  settled  weather.  But  this  is  true 
of  nearly  all  early  flowering  plants,  such  as  insist  upon 
crowding  the  season.  No  one  will  make  a  mistake  in 
planting  this  magnolia,  however  small  his  grounds. 
Specimens  less  than  two  feet  high  often  produce  flowers 
freely,  and  so  apparently  out  of  season  when  contrasted 
with  the  surroundings  as  to  be  of  especial  interest.  The 
plant  is  hardy,  and  thrives  in  ordinary  soils,  preferring, 
however,  leaf  mould  and  peaty  substance  with  plenty  of 
moisture.  This  magnolia  has  long  been  a  favorite  with 
the  Japanese  flower  lovers. 

M.  watsonii,  newly  introduced  to  the  public,  comes 
from  Japan,  and  is  a  well-formed  tree,  producing  obovate 
leaves  five  to  seven  inches  long  and  about  three  inches 
wide.  These  are  bright  green  above,  veined  and  margined 
with  yellow.  The  under  surface  is  a  paler  shade  of  green, 
and,  especially  in  the  younger  growth,  covered  with  silky 


88 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


hairs.  The  flowers  are  white,  five  or  six  inches  in  diameter, 
and  highly  fragrant.  They  are  especially  beautiful  because 
of  the  blood-red  filaments  which  surround  the  pistils,  as 
well  as  from  their  large  proportions.  They  grow  singly 
on  short  peduncles,  and  cover  the  tree  while  the  foliage 


MAGNOLIA    WATSONII    OR    PARVIFLORA. 

buds  are  breaking  into  green.  M.  lennei  is  another  strik- 
ing Chinese  hybrid,  whose  flowers  are  crimson  or  purple 
without,  but  white  within.  It  is  prized  wherever  known, 
and  claimed  by  some  to  be  the  best  of  the  purple  varieties. 
M.  purpurea,  popularly  known  as  the  purple  magnolia, 


Magnolia.  89 

because  of  the  color  of  its  flowers,  is  also  of  Chinese  ex- 
traction. Downing  says  that  both  the  white  and  the 
purple  varieties  "  eclipse  every  other  floral  object,  whether 
tree  or  shrub,  that  the  garden  contains."  This  variety  is 
said  to  be  a  hybrid,  and  one  of  the  more  hardy  sorts.  The 
blossoms'  are  white  within  and  dark  purple  or  lilac-colored 
without,  and  very  fragrant.  In  all  other  particulars  it 
partakes  of  the  general  characteristics  of  the  family. 
M.  atropurpurea,  or  dark  purple  magnolia,  blooms  in  May 
and  is  distinguished  by  having  the  darkest-colored  flowers 
of  the  whole  list.  It,  too,  is  from  China,  and  not  at  all 
common  in  the  nurseries  or  in  garden  cultivation.  It  is  to 
the  magnolias  what  the  purple  beech  is  to  its  congeners. 

M.  macrophylla,  or  the  great-leaved  magnolia,  has  im- 
mense leaves  from  one  to  three  feet  long  and  ten  to  twelve 
inches  wide.  The  flowers  are  nearly  or  quite  a  foot  across, 
with  white  petals,  purple  at  the  base,  and  moderately  fra- 
grant. The  tree  is  medium  sized,  and  has  the  most  tropical 
appearance  of  any  of  the  hardy  forms.  The  combination 
is  such  that  it  is  difficult  to  decide  whether  the  leaves  or 
flowers  are  most  to  be  admired.  It  is  an  American 
species,  and  sufficiently  hardy  for  planting  in  favorable 
conditions  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States. 

M.  alexandrina  is  small,  rising  from  ten  to  twelve 
feet,  and  is  more  of  a  bush  than  a  tree.  It  is  one  of  the 
earlier-blooming  varieties,  bearing  large  pink  flowers  in 
May,  and  in  some  favored  localities  late  in  April.  It  is 
more  especially  adapted  to  gardens  and  grounds  of  limited 
dimensions.  M.  gracilis  is  also  shrub-like  in  its  propor- 
tions, being  not  more  than  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high,  and 


90  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

producing  purple  flowers  of  deeper  hue  than  most  others 
of  its  class.  They  expand  about  the  first  of  April  or 
in  early  May,  and  are  especially  valuable  for  massing  or 
use  in  borders  of  shrubbery.  There  is  no  doubt  as  to  its 
hardiness  in  ordinary  situations  and  its  adaptability  to 
various  garden  soils.  M.  norbertiana  is  another  of  the 
shrubby  kind,  though  somewhat  taller,  with  good  foliage 
and  pink  blossoms  appearing  two  or  three  weeks  later 
than  those  of  the  last  mentioned.  Though  good  in  itself, 
it  is  not  especially  to  be  preferred  to  the  other  pink  vari- 
eties. All  these  low-growing  sorts  should  be  more  gener- 
ally cultivated  than  they  are  now,  as  they  may  well  take 
the  place  of  plants  which,  though  better  known,  are  far 
less  valuable  where  early  effects  are  desired. 

M.  obovata. — This  is  a  rather  tender  species  from 
Japan,  and,  though  growing  but  five  or  six  feet  high  and 
in  bushy  form,  produces  large  and  showy  blossoms  with 
six  petals  and  very  sweet-scented.  The  leaves  are  large, 
obovate,  deep  green,  and  of  good  substance  throughout 
the  entire  summer.  It  is  not  counted  entirely  hardy,  even 
in  the  Middle  States. 

M.  grandiflora — Evergreen  Magnolia. — This  is,  per- 
haps, the  most  beautiful  and  interesting  of  all  the  mag- 
nolias, but,  unfortunately,  it  is  not  sufficiently  hardy  to 
withstand  the  rigors  of  our  northern  winters.  It  is  in- 
digenous to  nearly  all  the  Southern  States  and  in  some 
instances  becomes  a  tree  from  seventy  to  eighty  feet  in 
height,  though  its  average  proportions  in  cultivation  are 
much  less.  In  all  cases,  it  is  inclined  to  an  erect,  slender, 
and  somewhat  pyramidal  form,  and  thus  is  a  most  desirable 


Magnolia.  91 

tree  for  street  planting,  and  the  wonder  is  that  it  is  not 
more  largely  employed  in  beautifying  both  streets  and 
parks  wherever  it  can  be  available.  The  leaves  are  large, 
oval-oblong,  coriaceous,  and  bright  glossy  green  on  the 
upper  surface,  though  somewhat  rusty  beneath.  The 
blossoms  are  also  large,  six  to  eight  inches  in  diameter, 
white,  with  from  nine  to  twelve  petals.  They  are  de- 
liciously  fragrant,  and  continue  a  long  time  in  perfection. 
There  has  recently  been  more  or  less  discussion  as  to  the 
northern  limits  where  this  magnificent  tree  may  be  grown. 
It  used  to  be  said  that  it  could  not  be  depended  upon 
much  north  of  Richmond,  but  it  has  been  demonstrated 
that  fine  specimens  can  be  maintained  not  only  in  Wash- 
ington but  even  in  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Thomas  Meehan 
gives  an  account  of  a  tree  about  thirty  feet  high,  in  one 
of  the  parks  in  the  latter  city,  which  blossoms  and  ripens 
seed  every  year  ;  and  adds  that  "  it  is  not  the  only  one,  by 
any  means,  to  be  found  in  the  city.  In  Fairmount  Park, 
near  Horticultural  Hall,  there  is  a  tree  which  has  been 
flowering  and  seeding  for  many  years.  I  could  name  a 
dozen  trees  thriving  hereabout,  several  of  them  of  flower- 
ing a^e.  I  would  without  hesitation  lift  the  line  of  its 

o        o 

hardiness  from  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  set  it  at  Philadel- 
phia." Good  specimens  are  reported  even  farther  north, 
as  at  Dorosis  on  Long  Island,  but  they  have  to  be  at- 
tended to  with  especial  care,  such  as  only  experts  and  en- 
thusiasts have  patience  to  apply.  Mr.  Meehan  reports 
having  seen  them  growing  in  England  north  of  London, 
but  in  almost  every  instance  they  were  trained  on  the  side 
of  a  building,  flat  and  fan  shaped.  There  are  a  number 


92  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

of  varieties  of  this  tree,  but  very  few,  if  any  of  them,  are 
to  be  preferred  to  the  original  form. 

ABELIA. 

THE  abelias  constitute  a  small  genus  of  very  orna- 
mental shrubs  of  the  order  caprifoliacece,  and, 
though  not  sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand  the 
winters  of  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States,  they 
are  especially  adapted  to  garden  cultivation  throughout 
the  southern  half  of  the  Union.  They  will  probably 
thrive  in  most  locations  south  of  Washington,  through 
the  Southwest  and  California,  and  with  but  little  or  no 
more  care  than  is  afforded  many  other  choice  plants  that 
do  not  surpass  them  in  interest  or  beauty.  All  are  of 
easy  cultivation  and  showy  in  both  leaf  and  flower.  The 
name  was  given  to  the  genus  in  honor  of  Dr.  Clark  Abel, 
a  noted  physician  and  botanist,  who  was  attached  to  the 
British  embassy  to  China  in  1817,  and  who  probably  first 
directed  the  attention  of  English  horticulturists  to  their 
merit.  But  it  does  not  appear  that  the  plants  were 
brought  to  England  until  Mr.  Robert  Fortune  entered  so 
largely  upon  his  work  of  introducing  the  botanical  treas- 
ures of  the  flowery  kingdom  to  the  European  gardens. 

A.  rupestris. — This  species  was  brought  from  China 
to  England  by  Mr.  Fortune  in  1844,  but>  from  its  real  or 
supposed  inability  to  withstand  the  climate  of  that  coun- 
try, was  largely  treated  as  a  conservatory  or  greenhouse 
plant.  It  has  more  recently  been  found  equal  to  the  de- 
mands in  some  of  the  southern  counties,  and  where, 
according  to  a  writer  in  The  Garden,  of  London,  it  is 


Abelia.  93 

seldom  injured  by  cold  or  frost.  In  this  country  it 
is  found  to  thrive  below  the  latitude  of  Washington  with 
as  little  care  as  is  given  to  many  other  plants  in  com- 
mon use.  It  is  known  to  do  well  in  Philadelphia,  and 
good  specimens  are  occasionally  seen  in  the  vicinity  of 
New  York,  facts  which  fairly  indicate  its  northern  terri- 
torial range.  At  its  best  it  makes  a  well-shaped  bush 
from  five  to  eight  feet  high,  and  usually  about  as  many 
in  diameter.  When  desired  it  can  be  grown  on  a  pillar 
or  trained  to  a  wall  as  a  low  climber  with  good  effect. 
The  plant  is  clothed  with  small,  oblong,  glossy  foliage, 
and  in  its  season  is  abundant  with  blossoms.  The  tubu- 
lar flowers  are  of  a  pale  rose-color  without,  and  white 
within,  continuing  from  July  or  August,  according  to  loca- 
tion, until  frost.  A.  r.  grandiflora  is  a  variety  originated 
in  Italy,  which  is  said  to  be  a  decided  improvement  upon 
the  type.  The  flowers  are  much  larger  and  more  beauti- 
ful, the  color  remaining  the  same,  and  the  whole  plant  is 
more  robust. 

A.  scrrata. — This  is  another  of  the  broad-leaved  ever- 
green species  from  China,  and  is  of  about  the  same  propor- 
tions as  the  last.  It  is,  however,  an  early  spring  bloomer, 
producing  its  terminal  flowers  singly,  but  in  sufficient 
abundance  to  cover  the  entire  bush.  They  are  very  large, 
pale  red,  and  exceedingly  fragrant.  It  has  the  reputation 
of  not  being  quite  so  hardy  as  the  rupestris,  but  as  being 
especially  desirable  in  southern  localities  and  for  green- 
house cultivation. 

A.  tr iflora  is  a  native  of  Hindoostan,  and  grows  to  a 
height  of  five  or  six  feet.  Its  foliage  also  remains  through 


94  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  winter  months,  like  that  of  the  rhododendron  and  the 
kalmia,  and  the  plant  should  be  subjected  to  much  the 
same  conditions  in  cultivation.  The  flowers  are  terminal, 
in  threes,  yellow  tinged  with  pink,  the  sepals  being  long 
and  clothed  with  hairs.  It  flowers  in  autumn  and  is  one 
of  the  best  of  the  late  bloomers.  A.  floribunda  is  of  Ameri- 
can origin,  supposed  to  be  a  native  of  Mexico  and  adjacent 
territory.  It  is  a  smaller  plant,  growing  about  three  or  four 
feet,  with  opposite  long  leaves  and  damask  or  rosy-purple 
blossoms  nearly  two  inches  long,  in  clusters  at  the  ends  of 
the  numerous  twigs.  These  are  very  showy  and  appear 
in  early  spring. 

A.  spathulata. — Though  of  later  introduction  this  spe- 
cies is  coming  to  be  as  well  known  and  as  fully  appreciated 
as  most  of  its  predecessors.  It  comes  from  Japan  and 
proves  to  be  a  much-branched  and  free-flowering  ever- 
green shrub  that  is  certain  to  attract  attention  wherever 
grown.  The  leaves  are  from  one  to  two  inches  long,  el- 
liptic-lanceolate, slightly  toothed,  glabrous  above,  some- 
what rough  and  hairy  beneath,  the  edges  being  marked 
with  purple.  The  flowers  are  nearly  or  quite  sessile,  in 
pairs,  the  corolla  being  an  inch  long,  white  within  and 
marked  with  blotches  of  light  yellow  on  the  throat,  ap- 
pearing early  in  spring.  These  are  so  numerous  as  to 
envelop  the  whole  bush,  and  are  of  long  continuance.  It 
is  believed  to  be  adapted  to  more  northern  localities  than 
most  of  the  other  sorts,  but  as  it  is  not  yet  widely  tested, 
its  hardiness  under  adverse  conditions  is  not  fully  deter- 
mined. 


Rosa  Rugosa. 


95 


ROSA  RUGOSA. 

THE  roses  are  not  often  classed  among  shrubs,  but 
this  is  justly  entitled  to  that  distinction.     Though 
a  true  rose  its  shrubby  characteristics  could  not  be 
well  overlooked  in  this  connection.     And  when  properly 


ROSA   RUGOSA. 


grown  and  cared  for,  it  will  be  found  one  of  the  most  valuable 
as  well  as  most  ornamental  plants  in  the  whole  list.   It  grows 


96  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

from  five  to  ten  feet  and,  if  permitted,  will  attain  a  diameter 
nearly  or  quite  equal  to  its  height,  having  a  tendency  to 
send  up  new  stems  from  year  to  year  so  that  there  is 
scarcely  a  limit  of  possibilities  in  this  direction.  At  the 
same  time  it  is  easily  kept  within  desired  bounds,  while  the 
fresh  growths  may  be  transplanted  with  entire  success.  The 
foliage  is  abundant,  dark  green,  plicated,  and  dense  through 
the  entire  summer  and  autumn.  Were  it  not  a  flowering 
plant  at  all,  it  would  still  be  desirable  on  the  lawn  or  in  the 
border.  The  blossoms  are  single,  from  three  to  four 
inches  across,  deep  red  with  yellow  stamens,  showing  abun- 
dantly in  June  and  July,  and  more  sparingly  in  midsum- 
mer and  autumn.  These  are  followed  by  large  heps  of 
scarlet-crimson  which  continue  long  into  the  autumn,  and  in 
the  opinion  of  many  are  as  beautiful  as  the  blossoms  them- 
selves. They  form  quickly,  after  the  flowers,  in  succession, 
have  dropped  their  petals,  and  so  it  is  common  to  see  both 
fruits  and  flowers  in  profusion  at  the  same  time,  and,  as 
both  are  terminal,  the  combination  is  especially  effective. 
The  bush  is  too  strong  a  grower  to  be  suitable  for  the 
ordinary  rose  garden,  its  proper  place  being  on  the  lawn  or 
in  the  border.  In  the  gardens  at  Newport,  Rosa  rugosa 
is  more  freely  planted  than  any  other  shrub,  and  particularly 
in  exposed  situations.  It  is  seen  in  many  villas  on  the 
highest  cliffs,  where  it  bravely  withstands  the  fiercest  winds 
that  come  in  from  open  sea.  In  such  situations  the  plants 
are  often  cut  down  sharply  on  the  approach  of  winter,  as 
they  should  always  be  when  the  foliage  is  desired  near  the 
ground.  Left  to  themselves  they  become  coarse  and  bare 
at  the  base,  while  if  reduced  in  height  the  plant  retains  its 


98  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

beauty  at  all  times.  The  rapidity  of  its  growth  is  such 
that  if  cut  to  one  or  two  feet,  it  is  sure  to  answer  all  the 
purposes  of  a  comparatively  low  ornamental  shrub  the 
following  season. 

There  are  several  varieties  and  numerous  hybrids 
worthy  of  notice.  R.  r.  alba  is  much  the  same  except  in 
the  color  of  the  blossom,  which  is  pure  white  and  very  at- 
tractive. The  plant  is  slightly  less  vigorous  and  of  smaller 
proportions,  but  the  scarlet  heps  contrast  so  well  with  the 
flowers  and  the  rich  green  foliage  as  to  make  it  especially 
desirable.  Madame  Georges  Bruant  is  a  hybrid  with 
broad  and  handsome  foliage  and  pure  white  flowers  in 
clusters,  semi-double  and  quite  fragrant.  It  blooms  at 
intervals  throughout  the  entire  summer.  Agnes  Emily 
Carmen  is  across  with  Harrison's  yellow,  and  is  one  of  the 
best  of  the  group.  The  blossoms  are  deep  crimson,  semi- 
double,  borne  in  clusters  and  appearing  at  intervals  during 
the  entire  season,  even  to  the  coming  of  frost.  The  foli- 
age is  also  good.  The  plant  may  not  be  quite  as  vigorous 
and  as  well  adapted  to  rough  exposures  as  the  rugosa 
proper  but  it  may  be  put  down  as  reasonably  hardy  through- 
out the  Northern  States. 

There  are  other  roses  that  may  be  grown  in  bush  form, 
and  are  especially  adapted  to  that  treatment,  but  they  do 
not  call  for  description  in  this  connection. 


Morus — Mulberry.  99 

JMORUS— Mulberry. 

THE  mulberries  belong  to  the  bread-fruit  tree  family, 
Atrocarpe,  which  includes  some  of  the  most  in- 
teresting of  nature's  products.  Though  more 
especially  adapted  to  the  tropics,  some  of  the  species 
appear  freely  in  the  temperate  zones,  and  are  almost  as 
highly  prized  by  civilized  races  as  others  are  by  the  savages 
who  gather  their  daily  food  from  the  stems  and  boughs 
within  their  reach.  The  tribe  includes,  along  with  the  poi- 
sonous upas,  the  famous  banyan  tree  of  India,  the  cele- 
brated cow  tree  of  South  America,  the  fig  tree,  and  many 
others  especially  adapted  to  the  wants  of  man  and  beast. 
The  mulberry  appears  in  many  countries,  and  some  of  the 
forms  are  indigenous  to  eastern  Asia,  southern  Europe, 
the  United  States,  and  Canada.  The  several  species  are 
curious  and  interesting,  and  nearly  all  of  them  are  of 
especial  interest  to  the  botanist  and  practical  horticulturist. 
They  have  been  in  cultivation  from  the  earliest  antiquity, 
and  are  mentioned  in  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures  as 
objects  of  interest  and  almost  veneration.  Many  of  them 
serve  a  good  purpose  in  furnishing  food,  and  as  ornamental 
plants  ;  and  such  might  be  cultivated  to  advantage  much 
more  generally  than  they  now  are.  The  hardy  species 
are  easily  grown  and  long-lived.  They  produce  sweet  and 
juicy  fruit,  though  this  is  not  equally  palatable  to  all 
people.  Mulberries  were  first  introduced  into  England 
in  the  year  1548,  and  afterwards  became  so  popular  that 
"the  mulberry  gardens"  were  a  prominent  feature  of 
some  of  the  best  estates.  These  plantations  were  util- 


100 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


ized  in  furnishing   food   for  silkworms,   as  well   as   pro- 
ducing fruits  for  the  table,  and  for  the   manufacture  of 


RUSSIAN    WEEPING    MULBERRY. 


wine.     All  the  species  are  late  in  putting  forth  their  leaves 
in  spring.     The  foliage,  when  it  does  appear,  is  a  bright, 


Morus — Mulberry.  101 

dark  green,  and  contrasts  finely  with  the  colors  of  most 
other  trees  in  the  vicinity. 

The  red  mulberry,  M.  rubra,  is  the  only  species  indi- 
genous to  New  England.  It  is  a  medium-sized  tree  with 
large,  rough,  heart-shaped  leaves,  sometimes  serrate  and 
sometimes  lobed.  The  flowers  are  of  a  greenish-yellow 
tint,  small  and  numerous,  followed  by  dark  red  fruit,  sweet 
to  the  taste  and  preferable  to  that  of  most  other  sorts. 
The  wood  is  hard,  strong,  and  very  durable,  and  is  often 
used  in  boat  building,  and  for  posts  whenever  it  can  be 
obtained  in  sufficient  quantities.  Though  not  strictly  a 
first-class  tree  for  ornamental  planting  or  for  purposes  of 
forestry,  it  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  every  large  collection. 

The  black  mulberry,  M.  nigra,  was  carried  from 
Persia  to  Europe  in  the  i6th  century,  and  thence  brought 
to  America,  where  it  has  been  cultivated  to  a  limited  extent 
in  gardens  and  private  grounds.  The  foliage  is  much  the 
same  as  that  of  the  preceding,  and  the  fruit,  in  the  form  of 
a  spike  composed  of  numerous  calyces  and  carpels,  is 
succulent,  and,  to  many  people,  of  pleasant  taste,  but  not 
to  all.  It  is  said  to  be  a  very  long-lived  tree  and  to  grow 
well  in  most  parts  of  the  country.  The  white-fruited 
mulberry,  M.  alba,  is  a  well-known  silkworm  species,  at 
one  time  very  popular,  but  now  much  neglected.  It  is  a 
medium-sized  tree  with  succulent  leaves  growing  in  great 
abundance.  It  is  worth  growing  only  as  a  curiosity.  The 
Spanish  mulberry,  M.  hispanica,  has  large,  smooth  leaves, 
and  from  the  vigor  of  its  growth  and  its  rich  purple  fruit  is 
by  many  preferred  to  all  others  for  garden  planting. 


102  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

PYRUS  JAPONICA— Japan  Quince. 

THIS  popular  shrub,  formerly  known  as  Cydonia 
japonica,  was  brought  to  England  as  early  as  1815, 
where  it  was  received  with  much  favor  and  thence 
distributed  on  the  continent.  Wherever  it  is  known,  it  is 
recognized  as  one  of  the  best  of  the  many  good  plants 
that  the  Island  Empire  has  yet  given  to  the  western 
world.  Still  its  merits  do  not  appear  to  be  fully  appre- 
ciated by  many,  not  to  say  most,  of  the  planters  of  the 
present  day.  Nicholson  in  his  Dictionary  of  Gardening, 
quotes  approvingly  an  earlier  authority  to  the  effect  that 
.it  is  "one  of  the  most  desirable  deciduous  shrubs  in  culti- 
vation, whether  as  a  bush  or  on  the  open  lawn,  trained 
against  a  wall,  or  treated  as  an  ornamental  hedge  plant.  It 
has  also  been  trained  as  a  standard,  and  in  this  character  its 
pendant  branches  and  numerous  flowers  give  it  a  rich  and 
striking  appearance,  especially  in  spring.  It  is  difficult  to 
unite  with  its  congeners  by  grafting ;  but  if  it  could  be 
grafted  high  on  the  pear,  the  hawthorn,  or  even  the  quince, 
it  would  form  a  most  delightful  little  tree.  It  is  readily  pro- 
pagated by  layers  or  suckers,  and  also  grows  by  cuttings." 
There  are  numerous  varieties  growing  from  five  to  eight 
feet  in  height,  and  if  trained  with  that  end  in  view,  nearly 
or  quite  as  many  in  diameter.  Some  of  these  are  scarcely 
known  to  the  general  public  but  all  are  worthy  of  considera- 
tion. Probably  the  most  perfect  collection  is  to  be  found 
at  the  Arnold  Arboretum  (Harvard  University)  and  they 
are  described  in  brief  by  C.  J.  Dawson,  the  superintend- 
ent, as  follows  : 


Pyrus  Japonica — Japan  Quince.  103 

"  The  type,  Pyms  japonica,  has  a  very  dark  red  flower 
of  considerable  size ;  the  foliage  takes  on  a  purplish  tinge 
and  the  habit  is  upright.  P.  j .  moor  lost  is  an  extremely 
fine  variety.  In  habit  it  is  low  with  arching  branches,  in 
fact,  almost  pendulous,  the  foliage  very  slender  and  nar- 
row, while  the  medium-sized  flowers  are  pink  and  white 
in  color.  P.  j.  wallardi  is  of  medium  good  upright  habit 
with  flowers  of  the  very  darkest  crimson  in  color.  P.  j. 
atrosanguinea  is  similar  to  moorlosi,  only  the  habit  is  not 
so  airy,  the  flowers  are  not  borne  so  abundantly,  and  the 
leaves  are  much  larger  and  not  so  narrow. 

"  P.j.  macrocarpa  is  of  a  splendid  spreading  habit  with 
dark  foliage  and  medium-sized  flowers  of  a  light  carmine- 
red  color.  P.  j.  foliis  rubris :  The  foliage  is  decidedly 
colored,  the  flowers  salmon-red  in  color,  while  the  habit 
of  the  plant  is  very  compact  and  not  of  the  average 
height.  P.  j.  roseo  flore  pleno  has  good  semi-double 
deep  rose  flowers  of  large  size.  P.  j.  versicolor :  Flowers 
pink  and  white,  the  habit  of  the  plant  being  very  compact. 
P.  j.  atrosanguinea  plena  :  In  this  variety  the  habit  is 
very  dwarf  and  compact  and  it  is  a  decidedly  free  bloomer. 
The  flowers,  of  a  deep  red,  are  only  slightly  double.  P.  j. 
grandiflora :  One  of  the  best ;  flowers  very  large,  pink  and 
white  in  color,  and  very  fine  airy  habit.  P.  j.  umelblata  : 
Also  a  very  good  variety,  with  flowers  of  deep  rose  color 
borne  very  abundantly.  P.  j.  nivalis  is  a  splendid  white 
variety,  laden  with  medium-sized  flowers.  P.  j.  simplex 
alba :  The  flowers  a  trifle  larger  than  nivalis,  the  last  two 
being  both  excellent  varieties." 

Pyrus  maulei,  a  more  recent  species  of  Japan  quince, 


io4  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

is  also  attractive ;  it  is  much  dwarfer,  seldom  growing 
more  than  three  feet  in  height,  and  very  compact  in  habit. 
It  is  more  covered  with  thorns  than  the  japonica  type,  and 
the  colors  take  on  a  different  tone  of  reds  and  pinks  than 
do  the  older  Japan  quinces.  Its  various  forms  make 
one  of  our  most  beautiful  of  recently  introduced  shrubs. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  with  all  their  good  qualities 
these  plants  are  not  more  freely  used  for  hedges,  as  they 
are  certainly  superior  in  many  respects  to  the  privets 
which  are  now  so  freely  employed.  Their  foliage  takes 
on  various  shades  of  color  as  the  season  advances,  from 
olive  to  pink,  the  latter  appearing  often  in  the  new  growth 
after  cutting  back  or  trimming.  Under  such  circum- 
stances the  hedge  seems  crowned  with  scarlet,  answering 
to  the  show  of  flowers  in  early  springtime.  Such  a  hedge 
is  not  so  easily  broken  down  as  those  composed  of  less 
thorny  plants,  nor  will  it  require  so  much  cutting  as 
though  composed  of  shrubs  disposed  to  larger  propor- 
tions. It  may  be  as  cheaply  planted  and  as  readily 
grown,  the  cost  of  keeping  in  order  being  less.  Besides, 
the  owner  would  have  the  satisfaction  of  breaking  in  upon 
the  monotony  that  now  threatens  the  almost  exclusive  use 
of  a  single  type. 

PYRUS  MALUS— Flowering  Apple— Crab. 

THE  apple  blossom  is  always  beautiful,  and  yet  but 
comparatively  few  persons  think  of  growing  the 
tree  simply  as   an  ornament  for  field  or  garden. 
Perhaps  in  the  minds  of  some  the  very  fact  that  the  apple 
is  one  of  our  most  common  as  well  as  most  useful  fruits 


io6  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

shuts  it  out  of  consideration  in  this  connection.  But  there 
are  species  and  varieties  that  are  both  rare  and  ornamental 
in  the  highest  degree,  and  that  need  only  to  be  known 
to  make  for  themselves  a  place  in  every  considerable  col- 
lection where  best  results  are  desired.  To  some  of  the 
most  desirable  of  these  attention  may  well  be  called.  In 
their  wild  state  they  are  almost  universally  known  as  crabs, 
and  as  such  are  indigenous  to  most  of  the  temperate  regions 
of  both  Europe  and  America.  0 

P.  m.  coronaria,  the  American  crab,  is  a  native  of  the 
United  States,  and  outside  of  cultivation  is  probably 
found  at  its  best  on  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  where  it 
appears  as  a  small  and  shapely  tree,  growing  to  a  height 
of  about  twenty  feet.  Though  perfectly  hardy,  it  has  not 
shown  itself  to  be  very  aggressive,  as  its  range  is  quite 
limited.  Still,  it  is  found,  though  in  comparatively  small 
numbers,  in  locations  much  farther  north.  The  beauty 
of  its  blossoms  early  attracted  attention,  as  they  are  large, 
rose-colored,  and  very  fragrant  ;  the  odor,  in  the  opinion 
of  many  persons,  resembling  that  of  the  common  sweet 
violet.  The  fruit,  though  not  of  much  economic  value, 
is  also  fragrant  and  interesting ;  the  apples  are  small  and 
exceedingly  numerous,  and  hang  long  on  the  branches. 
Some  of  the  supposed  varieties  are  still  more  beautiful 
than  the  type,  especially  those  with  variegated  foliage. 
That  known  to  the  trade  as  P.  m.  aucubczfolia  has  leaves 
which  are  distinctly  marked  with  white,  and  in  some  cases 
shaded  with  pink,  and  is  very  desirable.  Another,  known 
as  the  double  white-flowering  apple,  P.  m.  alba  plena,  pro- 
duces large  double  blossoms  which  are  very  sweet-scented. 


Pyrus  Malus — Flowering  Apple — Crab.      107 

This  is  much  smaller  than  its  parent,  growing  but  five  or 
six  feet  high. 

A  Chinese  crab,  P.  m.  spectabilis,  grows  to  a  height  of 
twenty  to  thirty  feet,   and    has  large,   pale  red  or  rose- 


DOUBLE  FLOWERING  APPLE. 


colored,  semi-double  flowers  in  April  or  May.  They  are 
nearly  sessile,  and  appear  in  umbels.  The  leaves  are 
oblong,  oval,  and  smooth,  and  give  the  tree  a  somewhat 
showy  appearance  at  all  times.  The  fruit  is  not  especially 
good.  The  variety  known  as  flore  roseo  pleno  produces 
double  rose-colored  flowers  nearly  two  inches  in  diameter. 


io8  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

These  appear  in  May,  and  are  also  very  fragrant,  making 
the  plant  in  every  way  desirable  for  ornamental  purposes. 

P.  m.  floribunda,  the  Japanese  flowering  apple,  is  one 
of  the  most  interesting  acquisitions  that  has  been  made 
to  our  list  of  ornamental  trees  in  many  years.  It  grows 
five  to  six  feet  in  height,  has  small,  obovate  leaves,  and 
produces  beautiful,  rich,  rosy-red  blossoms  in  great  abun- 
dance in  early  spring,  and  sparingly  throughout  the  sum- 
mer. The  shoots  are  slender,  and  often  bend  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  small  apples  which  are  borne  on  long  stems, 
and  it  is  difficult  to  tell  whether  the  shrub  is  more  to 
be  desired  for  its  appearance  when  in  flower  or  in  fruit. 
Of  this  Garden  and  Forest  says,  editorially  :  "  This,  it 
seems  to  us,  is  the  most  beautiful  of  its  race,  and  one  of 
the  best  ornamental  plants  in  cultivation.  It  is  particu- 
larly beautiful  before  the  flowers  expand,  when  the  bright 
red  flower-buds  cover  the  branches.  The  Japanese  crab 
should  be  planted  in  rich  soil,  and  allowed  plenty  of  room 
in  which  to  spread  its  wand-like  branches.  *  *  *  Im- 
proving with  age,  the  Japanese  crab  grows  more  beautiful 
every  year ;  the  severest  winters  leave  it  uninjured,  and 
insects  and  diseases  pass  it  by.  The  variety  with  bright 
pink,  semi-double  flowers,  known  as  Pyru s  parkmannii,  is 
equally  beautiful,  though  it  is  a  rather  less  hardy  plant." 

The  Siberian  crab,  P.  in.  prunifolia,  has  been  much 
planted,  and  has  also  many  good  qualities.  The  white, 
single  flowers  often  cover  the  entire  tree,  and  give  it  a 
showy  head  in  April  or  May.  The  fruit  when  ripe  is 
yellow,  with  the  side  toward  the  sun  showy  red.  The 
tree  is  of  larger  growth  than  most  of  its  class,  rising  some 


Pyrus  Malus — Flowering  Apple — Crab.      109 

twenty  feet,  and  is  suitable  for  either  the  orchard  or  the 
garden. 

What    is  called    Bechtel's    crab    is   a  new   American 
product,  and  is  already  regarded  as  one  of    the  best  that 


BRANCH  OF  FLOWERING  CRAB. 


has  made  its  appearance.  It  is  supposed  to  have  sprung 
from  the  western  form  of  P.  m.  coronaria,  having  origi- 
nated at  Stanton,  111.,  and  has  been  put  on  the  market 
within  a  very  few  years.  It  produces  large  double  pink 
blossoms,  much  resembling  small  roses,  and  in  great 
abundance.  They  are  also  exceedingly  fragrant  and  said 


no  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

to  answer  the  purpose  of  cut  flowers,  retaining  their  good 
qualities  for  a  long  time.  Unlike  most  of  the  crabs,  the 
blossoms  do  not  appear  until  the  foliage  is  well  advanced, 
the  bush  being  thus  in  leaf  and  flower  at  the  same  time, 
a  decided  novelty  in  this  class  of  plants.  The  tree  is  a 
rather  slow  grower  when  young,  but  has  the  habit  of 
blooming  when  very  small,  often  when  not  more  than  two 
feet  high.  This,  in  connection  with  the  fact  that  it 
lengthens  the  season  of  apple-blossoming  nearly  two  weeks, 
makes  it  especially  desirable  in  connection  with  the  other 
and  earlier  sorts. 

BERBERIS— Barberry. 

THIS  is  an  interesting  group  of  hardy  plants,  with 
an  Arabic  name,  though  indigenous  to  many  sec- 
tions of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  as  well  as 
Arabia.  A  few  are  evergreens,  but  by  far  the  greater 
number  are  deciduous,  growing  in  bushy  forms  and  in 
almost  every  kind  of  soil,  though  not  favorably  disposed 
to  low,  marshy  situations.  It  is  said  that  there  are  some 
fifty  species,  to  which  may  be  added  several  varieties  of 
special  value  and  well  known  in  cultivation.  Some  are 
but  a  few  inches  in  height,  with  round,  compact  heads, 
while  others  grow  to  ten  or  twenty  feet,  specimens  occa- 
sionally appearing  in  tree  form  rather  than  as  bushes  or 
shrubs.  They  have,  as  a  rule,  yellowish  wood  and  inner 
bark,  ovate  and  pointed  thorny  foliage  slightly  serrate,  and 
numerous  yellow  flowers.  The  fruit  is  mostly  scarlet  or 
crimson,  and  so  intensely  acid  that  birds  will  not  eat  it ; 
but,  properly  prepared  with  sugar,  the  berries  of  some 


Berberis — Barberry.  1 1 1 

species  make  excellent  preserves  and  syrups  for  the  table. 
The  roots  and  sometimes  the  bark  are  used  for  the  pro- 
duction of  a  yellow  dye  used  in  coloring.  Both  the  root 
and  bark,  as  well  as  the  leaves,  are  esteemed  valuable  for 
their  medicinal  qualities.  A  peculiarity  of  the  flower  is 
that  some  of  its  parts  are  possessed  of  a  remarkable 
degree  of  irritability,  so  that  if  the  filaments  are  touched 
on  the  inside  with  even  the  point  of  a  needle,  the  stamens 
are  thrown  down  upon  the  stigma,  and  the  petals  incline 
in  the  same  direction,  showing  what  appears  to  be  a  wreck 
of  the  entire  floral  structure.  But  the  seeming  ruin  is 
not  permanent.  Equanimity  is  soon  restored,  and  the 
several  parts  slowly  resume  their  places,  when  the  flower 
lives  on  as  though  nothing  unusual  had  occurred. 

The  common  barberry,  Berberis  vulgaris,  a  native  of 
Europe,  is  usually  a  low,  bushy  shrub,  but  capable  of 
being  trained  into  almost  any  form  desired.  It  produces 
its  bright  yellow  flowers  in  May  or  June,  and  they 
are  followed  by  small,  oblong,  acid  fruit.  The  branches 
are  provided  with  sharp  spines,  and  the  leaves  are  also 
pointed  with  bristles,  making  the  shrub  difficult  to  han- 
dle. When  planted  in  rows  and  properly  cut  in,  it  makes 
an  almost  impenetrable  hedge  against  man  or  beast.  It 
is  a  long-lived  plant,  notwithstanding  its  diminutive  size. 
This  shrub  is  so  widely  distributed  throughout  the  coun- 
try as  to  lead  to  the  supposition  that  it  is  a  native  of  the 
soil.  But  it  is  not.  Having  been  brought  here  and 
planted  by  our  forefathers,  it  kept  pace  with  the  growing 
population,  and  having  in  a  measure  escaped  from  civil- 
ization, it  planted  itself  along  the  roadsides,  passed  over 


ii2  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  walls  and  fences,  and  in  some  instances  took  possession 
of  entire  fields  and  hillsides  to  the  exclusion  of  the  forms 
of  plant  life  that  had  long  had  possession,  somewhat  after 
the  manner  of  the  conquests  made  by  the  pale-faces  in 
their  strifes  with  the  natives.  There  is  a  variety  that 
has  richly  colored  purple  foliage,  and  that  proves  very 
effective  in  planting,  either  by  itself  or  in  combination 
with  other  sorts.  Its  general  characteristics  are  much  the 
same  as  those  of  the  type,  and,  whether  planted  singly, 
in  masses,  or  in  the  border,  it  is  equally  good,  and  capa- 
ble of  affording  most  desirable  contrasts.  But  for  the 
best  results  it  must  have  plenty  of  sunshine  and  not  be 
grown  in  too  moist  a  soil.  Standing  side  by  side  with 
yellow-leaved  plants,  the  combination  of  purple  and  gold 
is  all  that  can  be  desired.  Unlike  many  of  the  so-called 
foliage  plants,  it  holds  its  color  from  spring  to  autumn, 
and  can  be  used  on  large  or  small  estates  to  advantage. 

The  American  species,  B.  canadensis,  was  so  named  by 
Pursh,  the  distinguished  botanist,  but  is  not  a  native  of 
Canada  or  even  of  New  England  or  New  York.  It  is 
indigenous  to  the  Alleghany  Mountain  region,  thence 
southward  to  the  Gulf  and  to  some  sections  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  In  general  it  is  much  the  same  as  the  vulgaris, 
but  with  botanical  differences  sufficient  to  maintain  a 
specific  classification.  It  is  a  more  diminutive  shrub, 
having  smaller  and  less  bristly,  pointed  leaves,  fewer- 
petalled  flowers,  and  less  conspicuous  fruit.  But  in  the 
general  outline  to  the  unscientific  eye  the  two  are  much 
the  same.  It  is  entirely  hardy,  and  has  been  found  able 
to  withstand  intense  cold,  provided  it  is  favored  with  a 


Berberis — Barberry.  113 

well-drained  soil.  In  many  sections  the  farmers  believe 
that  the  presence  of  either  of  these  barberries  causes  rust 
in  wheat  and  perhaps  other  growing  crops,  as  the  under 
side  of  the  leaves  is  often  of  a  brown  or  rusty  color. 
But  it  is  known  that  rust  is  largely  a  fungous  growth, 
and  that  the  fungus  is  of  such  a  different  character  that 
the  disease,  even  when  existing  in  the  same  vicinage, 
could  not  have  been  transferred  from  one  to  the  other. 
There  is  probably,  therefore,  no  good  reason  for  the 
widespread  prejudice  among  the  agriculturists  against 
these  plants. 

The  box-leaved  barberry,  B.  buxifolia,  is  so  named 
from  the  resemblance  of  its  foliage  to  the  common  box 
famous  in  old-fashioned  gardens.  It  is  also  known  as 
the  sweet-fruited  barberry,  B.  dulcis,  and  some  have  sup- 
posed that  the  two  names  designated  distinct  species,  but 
this  is  not  the  fact.  This  shrub  comes  from  the  Straits 
of  Magellan,  and  is  counted  an  evergreen,  though  in  very 
cold  climates  it  is  not  strictly  such.  The  leaves  are 
oblong,  smooth,  and  glossy,  without  hairs  or  spines,  and 
about  half  an  inch  in  length,  with  very  short  footstalks. 
The  cup-shaped,  amber-yellow  flowers  appear  very  early, 
almost  before  the  winter  is  past,  and  are  borne  on  slen- 
der, pendulous  stalks  in  great  abundance,  and  followed 
by  dark-colored  fruit.  Under  favorable  circumstances 
the  shrub  grows  to  the  height  of  six  to  eight  feet.  Dar- 
win's barberry,  B.  darwinii,  grows  but  about  two  feet,  and 
produces  an  abundance  of  orange-colored  flowers  in  May, 
and  sometimes  again  in  autumn.  The  deep  purple  ber- 
ries are  oblong  and  about  an  inch  in  length,  and  armed 


ii4  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

with  teeth.  The  species  has  the  advantage  of  being  an 
evergreen,  and,  as  the  branches  are  numerous  and  the 
foliage  dense,  it  is  showy  in  winter  as  well  as  in  summer. 
The  Japanese  barberry,  B.japonica,  is  a  compact  shrub, 
seldom  growing  more  than  two  to  four  feet,  and  having 


BERBERIS  JAPONICA. 


unbranched  stems  covered  by  a  grayish  bark.  The  com- 
pound leaves  are  about  three  inches  long,  dark  green 
above  and  lighter  beneath,  and  composed  of  from  seven 
to  nine  leaflets.  They  are  armed  with  slender  but  sharp 
spines,  and  not  easily  handled.  In  autumn  the  foliage 
assumes  brilliant  shades  of  orange  and  scarlet.  The 


Berberis — Barberry.  1 1 5 

flowers  are  large  and  in  terminal  racemes  three  inches 
in  length.  This  species  is  claimed  by  some  to  be  the 
most  beautiful  of  all  the  barberries,  though  not  so  widely 
known  and  generally  cultivated  as  some  others.  It  is 
found  to  be  reasonably  hardy  in  the  Northern  States. 

Another  Japanese  species,  B.  virescens,  was  introduced 
in  this  country  in  1849,  and,  a^ter  l°ng  testing,  was  offered 
by  nurserymen  in  the  market.  The  flowers  are  small,  in 
short  racemes,  and  yellow  tinged  with  green,  the  fruit 
oblong,  compressed,  and  purple-scarlet  in  color.  The  first 
specimens  brought  to  Europe  came  from  an  elevation  of 
nearly  nine  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and 
the  species  ought  to  be  hardy  in  any  ordinary  locality. 
It  is  highly  praised  by  those  who  know  it  best.  The 
many-flowered  barberry,  B.  floribunda,  is  also  a  native 
of  Asia.  Its  yellow  blossoms  are  in  pendulous  racemes, 
in  which  they  hang  somewhat  loosely,  appearing  in  June. 
They  are  pretty,  though  not  especially  striking.  The 
leaves  are  obovate,  long,  and  tapering  toward  the  base 
almost  to  a  point.  The  shrub  attains  a  height  of  six  to 
ten  feet. 

Thunberg's  barberry,  B.  thunbergii,  came  from  Japan, 
and  is  a  most  valuable  acquisition.  Though  not  yet 
largely  distributed,  it  is  to  be  found  in  not  a  few  gardens, 
and  is  everywhere  looked  upon  with  especial  favor.  It 
is  said  that  the  Japanese  prize  it  not  only  as  the  best  of 
its  family,  but  also  as  one  of  their  most  charming  plants. 
The  bush  grows  five  feet,  and  has  numerous  slender 
stems  and  branches,  some  of  which  are  upright  and 
others  almost  horizontal  or  even  pendulous,  all  being 


n6  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

armed  with  small  but  stiff  and  sharp  spines.     The  spoon- 
shaped  leaves  are  small,  dark,  and  glossy,  green  in  spring 
and  summer,  and  in  autumn  take  on  a  variety  of  hues- 
crimson,  orange,  and  bronze — which  are  retained  for  some 
weeks.      The  flowers  are  solitary,   distributed  along  the 

branches,  and 
of  a  lighter 
shade  of  yellow 
than  those  of 
most  others. 
They  appear 

FRUITING  BRANCH,  BERBERIS.  'n    ear}y    spring" 

and  are  followed  by  an  abundance  of  fruit  which  hangs 
from  the  under  side  of  the  branches  from  one  end  to  the 
other,  and  covers  the  whole  bush.  The  oblong  berries 
are  bright  scarlet  in  color,  exceedingly  showy,  and  never 
fail  to  give  the  shrub  a  most  charming  appearance  in  late 
autumn  and  early  winter.  It  is  a  peculiarity  of  these 
berries  that  they  contain  very  little  pulp  or  juice,  and 
so  do  not  shrivel  or  even  wrinkle  after  they  ripen,  even 
though  subjected  to  frost  and  repeated  freezing.  They 
are  very  persistent,  and  retain  their  places  far  into,  and 
sometimes  through,  the  winter,  and  up  to  the  time  of 
blossoming  for  the  next  season.  This  alone  would  cause 
the  plant  to  be  most  highly  esteemed,  as  it  is  not  often 
that  a  shrub  is  found  which  is  almost  equally  attractive 
in  spring  and  summer,  autumn  and  winter.  Whether 
standing  as  a  solitary  shrub  on  the  lawn  or  in  the  garden, 
planted  in  groups  or  placed  in  the  border  or  hedgerow, 
B.  thunbergii  never  fails,  when  thus  fruited,  to  brighten 


n8  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  landscape  and  relieve  the  dullest  months  of  the  year 
of  much  of  their  monotony  and  gloom.  It  is  thoroughly 
hardy,  a  good  grower,  and  needs  but  little  care,  since 
it  naturally  assumes  a  good  form  and  retains  it  from 
year  to  year.  It  may  safely  be  put  down,  all  things 
considered,  as  one  of  the  very  best  of  the  barberries  for 
ornamental  planting. 

An  evergreen  species,  B.  w  attic  hiana,  is  a  very  showy 
little  shrub,  and  quite  distinct.  It  forms  a  dense,  com- 
pact bush,  fully  clothed  with  large,  oblong-shaped  leaves 
of  a  deep  glossy-green  tint.  The  bright,  clear  yellow 
flowers  are  borne  in  May  or  June,  and  are  followed  by  pur- 
ple berries.  It  is  highly  ornamental  throughout  the  entire 
year.  The  plant  comes  from  the  Himalayas,  and  appears 
to  be  entirely  hardy  in  this  country.  It  is  sometimes 
known  as  B.  hookeri. 

Another,  B.  concinna,  is  a  recent  introduction  and  also 
a  native  of  the  Himalayas.  It  is  a  low-growing  bush 
with  bright  red  bark  on  the  numerous  small  branches. 
The  foliage  is  dark  glossy-green  above  and  lighter  beneath, 
the  leaves  being  very  small  and  interesting.  It  produces 
deep  yellow  flowers  and  bright  scarlet  fruit,  and  is  ap- 
parently a  decided  acquisition.  B.  cretica,  from  Asia 
Minor,  has  dense,  handsome  foliage,  dark  green,  with 
pale  yellow  flowers  in  drooping  racemes.  A  Siberian 
species,  B.  emarginata,  is  a  small  plant  of  upright  habit, 
having  leaves  finely  serrated  and  becoming  brilliant  red 
in  autumn,  making  it  one  of  the  choice  varieties.  B. 
kakodate  is  a  new  species  from  Japan,  a  more  vigorous 
grower  than  most  of  the  other  new  sorts,  having  larger 


Gardenia — Cape  Jessamine.  119 

leaves,  and  foliage  which  is  brilliant  red  or  scarlet. 
B.  sinensis  has  its  fruit  in  racemes,  and  it  is  large  and 
brilliant  red,  hanging  on  late  into  the  winter.  B.  illicifolia 
comes  from  Terra  del  Fuego,  and  has  foliage  resembling 
that  of  the  holly.  It  is  nearly  evergreen  in  the  North, 
and  wholly  so  in  the  South,  where  it  proves  very  effective 
as  a  garden  plant. 

GARDENIA— Cape  Jessamine. 

TH  E  gardenias  are  all  natives  of  warm  climates,  being 
indigenous  to  tropical  Asia  and  southern  Africa, 
especially  to  the  region  about  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope.  They  are  delightful  plants  in  cultivation,  but  are 
not  suitable  for  northern  gardens.  They  belong  to  the 
order  Rubiacecz,  and  constitute  a  genus  of  about  sixty  spe- 
cies, all  evergreens,  growing  in  shrubby  form,  with  good 
foliage  and  large  white  blossoms.  These  last  are  some- 
what funnel-shaped,  having  tubes  much  longer  than  the 
calyx,  and  being  deliciously  fragrant.  They  are  especially 
prized  for  cutting,  and  bear  the  operation  well.  The 
blossoms  come  forward  freely  in  succession.  Whether 
grown  in  the  open  ground  or  under  cover,  they  are  of  the 
easiest  possible  cultivation.  The  species  and  varieties 
best  known  in  the  South  are  all  natives  of  China  and 
Japan,  though  the  list  might  well  be  enlarged  and  enriched 
by  additions  from  other  countries  if  desired. 

G.  florida  is  probably  best  known  in  American  gardens 
and,  with  its  varieties,  most  fully  appreciated.  The  double 
white  flowers  are  solitary,  almost  sessile,  usually  terminal, 
and  deliciously  fragrant.  They  appear  in  midsummer, 


I2O 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


and  continue  in  succession  for  a  long  time.  One  of  the 
varieties,  G.  fortunei,  is  in  some  respects  to  be  preferred, 

as  it  blooms  somewhat 
earlier,  with  equal  pro- 
fusion, and  is  of  a 
brighter  and  glossier 
shade  of  green  with 
opposite  leaves  in 
whorls. 

G.  nitida  is  a  native 
of  Sierra  Leone,  and 
has  white  solitary  flow- 

"•"'•   *' '"  ers  appearing  later  in 

GARDENIA  FLORIDA.  October  and  Novem- 

ber. The  tube  is  narrow,  seven-parted,  and  reflexed. 
The  foliage  is  oblong-lanceolate,  glossy,  and  attractive  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year.  It  grows  as  a  compact  bush  from 
two  to  three  feet  high.  The  flowers  of  G.  radicans  are 
salver-shaped,  but  in  most  other  respects  like  others  of  its 
class.  They  come  forward  among  the  first  of  the  gardenias, 
appearing  in  June.  There  are  also  several  variegated 
varieties  in  which  the  leaves  are  striped  and  spotted  and 

very  pretty. 

SPIRAEA. 

TH  E  spiraeas  belong  to  the  rose  family,  Rosacecz,  and 
are   among    our    best-known   and    most   popular 
shrubs.     The  genus  includes  about  fifty  species, 
with  numerous  well-marked  varieties  which  are  perpetuated 
in  cultivation,  and  some  of  which  are  greatly  superior  to 
the  originals.     They  are  indigenous  to  Europe,  Asia,  and 


Spiraea.  1 2 1 

America,  but  are  seldom  found  in  tropical  climates  or 
south  of  the  equator.  The  species  and  varieties  are  too 
numerous  to  be  fully  described  in  this  connection,  or  even 
named.  They  nearly  all  have  alternate  leaves,  simple  or 
pinnate,  and  small  white  or  rose-colored  blossoms.  These 
last  appear  in  cymes,  corymbs,  and  panicles,  the  parts  of 
the  flowers  being  mostly  in  fives.  As  hardy  shrubs  they 
thrive  in  almost  any  good  soil,  and  can  be  grown  with 
little  care.  Some  of  the  species  are  mere  herbs,  dying 
down  to  the  root  in  winter  and  reappearing  in  early  spring, 
and  others  are  large  and  vigorous-growing  shrubs,  assum- 
ing at  times  almost  a  tree  form. 

S.  opulifolia. — This  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  of 
the  American  species,  the  familiar  "  ninebark "  of  our 
swamps  and  lowlands.  It  grows  six  to  seven  feet,  with  a 
rugged  stem,  and  loose  gray  bark  easily  peeling  off, 
whence  comes  its  popular  name.  The  branches  are  re- 
curved, the  leaves  three-lobed  and  doubly  serrate,  and  the 
flowers  white,  succeeded  by  bladdery  pods  turning  to  purple 
as  autumn  approaches.  It  is  altogether  a  good  plant,  and 
will  thrive  in  dry  soils  as  well  as  in  those  which  are  wet. 
What  is  known  as  the  golden  spiraea,  -5*.  o.  aurea,  a  variety 
of  the  opulifolia,  has  bright  yellow  leaves,  and  is  especially 
desirable  as  a  foliage  plant.  No  one  who  has  seen  good 
specimens  in  masses  or  interspersed  among  other  sorts,  will 
hesitate  to  pronounce  this  one  of  the  best  ornamental 
shrubs  we  have  in  cultivation.  It  grows  to  a  similar  height 
with  the  parent,  and  is  especially  bright  in  spring  while 
the  leaves  are  young  and  fresh.  The  flowers  are  double, 
appearing  in  June. 


122 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


S.  salicifolia,   the   meadow-sweet,   is   one   of  the  best- 
known  of  the  smaller  American  sorts.      It  grows  freely 


SPIR/EA  TOMENTOSA. 


in  moist  places,  on  the  borders  of  meadows  or  the  edges 
of  swamps,  and  is  a  low  shrub  of  from  two  to  four  feet. 


Spiraea.  123 

The  leaves  are  oblong  and  glabrous,  two  to  three  inches 
in  length,  with  serrated  edges.  The  flowers  are  in  upright 
terminal  panicles  or  cymes,  and  appear  in  July,  continuing 
through  August.  It  is  probably  more  largely  cultivated 
in  Europe  than  in  the  country  of  its  nativity.  The  steeple- 
bush  or  hardhack,  61  tomentosa,  is  another  common  sort, 
two  to  three  feet  high,  which  grows  freely  in  most  parts 
of  the  United  States.  The  stems  are  brown,  smooth,  and 
thickly  studded  with  oblong  leaves  bright  green  above 
and  whitish  beneath.  The  flowers  are  in  a  dense,  tapering 
panicle,  spiral  in  form,  appearing  in  July  and  continuing 
several  weeks.  They  are  usually  of  a  purplish-rose  color, 
and  quite  showy. 

6".  prunifolia  flore  plena,  the  double-flowering,  plum- 
leaved  spiraea,  is  a  shrub  of  the  highest  value.  It  was 
introduced  to  European  cultivation  by  Dr.  Siebold,  who 
found  it  growing  in  Japanese  gardens,  though  its  native 
country  is  said  to  be  China  or  Corea.  It  grows  from  six 
to  ten  feet  high,  in  bushy  form,  and  with  numerous  long, 
slender  branches  covered  with  smooth  bark  often  divid- 
ing into  thin  scales.  The  leaves  are  lanceolate,  small, 
and  numerous,  smooth  above  and  downy  on  the  under 
side,  and  take  on  beautiful  autumn  tints.  The  double 
white  flowers  come  forth  in  early  spring,  covering  the 
whole  length  of  the  arching  branches.  This  species  is 
more  widely  distributed  than  most  of  the  others.  S. 
trilobata  is  a  native  of  the  Altaian  Alps,  and  has  three- 
lobed  foliage.  It  is  of  somewhat  diminutive  proportions, 
about  two  feet  high,  and  produces  a  multitude  of  small 
white  flowers  in  compact,  umbel-like  corymbs,  appearing 


124  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

in  May.  When  a  small,  early-flowering  plant  is  desired,  this 
is  quite  certain  to  give  satisfaction. 

S.  callosa  was  introduced  to  this  country  from  China 
by  Mr.  Fortune,  and  is  one  of  the  best.  It  is  of  low 
growth  with  numerous  slender  branches,  and  produces  an 
abundance  of  pink  or  rosy  blossoms  in  flat  corymbs  in 
June,  which  continue  to  appear  through  most  of  the  sum- 
mer. The  variety  known  as  the  .S.  callosa  alba,  sometimes 
called  Fortune's  dwarf,  is  especially  valuable.  It  usually 
forms  a  well-rounded  head  of  many  branches,  crowded 
with  white  flowers  that  hang  long  and  are  followed  by 
conspicuous  bunches  of  seeds  continuing  late  into  autumn. 
For  borders  to  garden  walks  or  for  low,  ornamental  hedges 
it  is  scarcely  excelled.  As  a  single  plant  or  in  masses  on 
the  lawn  it  is  equally  desirable.  Another  variety  is  the 
6".  callosa  superba,  also  of  dwarfish  habit  and  possessed  of 
the  same  general  characteristics,  but  producing  greenish- 
white  flowers  in  August  and  September.  The  variety 
known  to  the  nurserymen  as  S.  callosa  setnperflorens  is 
much  the  same,  but  with  red  flowers  instead  of  white. 

K£  thunbergii  is  a  low,  bushy  shrub  from  the  mountains 
of  Japan,  and  one  of  the  very  best  of  the  genus.  It 
grows  three  to  five  feet,  with  a  dense,  bushy  head  and 
numerous  small  leaves  which  in  late  summer  and  early 
autumn  take  on  most  beautiful  shades  of  gold,  bronze, 
and  green.  Few  shrubs  so  enliven  the  border  or  are  so 
attractive  as  single  specimens.  No  one  who  plants  even 
a  small  place  should  fail  to  make  use  of  this  choice  species. 
It  is  a  very  early  bloomer,  the  flowers  being  in  threes,  not 
large,  but  so  numerous  as  to  cover  the  whole  bush,  with  its 


126  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

beautiful  foliage  as  its  chief  attraction  in  late  summer  and 
autumn.  It  is  hardy,  and  adapts  itself  to  almost  any  soil 
and  situation.  S.  media  is  taller,  often  growing  to  a  height 
of  six  feet.  Its  greenish-white  blossoms  appear  about  the 
same  time,  and  are  almost  equally  showy,  but  not  of  quite 
so  long  continuance.  It  is,  however,  a  good  plant,  and 
would  be  very  desirable  if  the  others  were  not  in  com- 
petition. And  this  will  apply  to  the  ^.  kypericifolia,  or 
St.  Peter's-wort,  a  kind  scarcely  needed  under  present 
conditions  in  making  up  a  good  collection. 

S.fortunei  has  better  foliage  than  some  of  the  common 
sorts,  and  produces  flat  cymes  of  rose-colored  or  pink 
flowers  in  June.  Though  good  in  itself  it  is  not  superior 
to  most  of  the  others  here  named. 

S.  van  houttei  is  a  later  introduction  from  Japan,  and 
has  been  much  praised.  It  grows  in  the  form  of  a  low, 
spreading  bush  with  curved  branches,  and  is  from  four  to 
six  feet  high.  While  not  surpassing  some  others  as  a 
foliage  plant,  its  smooth,  trifoliate  leaves,  and  well-rounded 
form  give  it  a  fine  appearance,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  any 
shrub  of  its  dimensions  under  cultivation  will  produce  a 
greater  abundance  of  blossoms  in  the  same  period  of  time. 
They  are  white,  appearing  in  May,  literally  covering  every 
branch  from  end  to  end,  so  as  to  present  much  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  huge  bouquet.  When  done  flowering,  the 
stems  are  almost  as  fully  covered  with  the  growing  and 
ripening  fruit.  Nothing  is  of  easier  culture.  I  have 
taken  up,  with  but  ordinary  care,  large  specimens  when  in 
full  bloom,  and  replanted  them  without  the  slightest  ill 
effect  at  the  time  or  during  the  following  season. 


Spiraea. 


127 


S.  bumalda  is  a  very  choice  species  of  dwarf   but  vig- 
orous habit.     It  grows  two  to  three  feet  in  height,  with 


SPIR/EA  ANTHONY  WATERER. 


numerous  slender  branches.  The  foliage  is  dense  and 
good  throughout  all  the  summer  months,  and  when  the 
bush  is  crowned  with  a  profusion  of  crimson  or  rosy-pink 


128  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

flowers  it  is  an  object  of  rare  beauty,  whether  seen  singly, 
in  groups,  or  in  the  border.  Few  plants  answer  better 
for  bedding  out,  as  it  is  more  showy  than  the  gera- 
nium or  the  coleus,  and  does  not  need  renewing  every 
year.  The  blossoms  appear  about  midsummer  and  con- 
tinue until  cold  weather.  S.  anthony  waterer  comes  to 
us  from  England  as  a  recent  production,  and  is  presented 
as  a  variety  of  6^.  biimalda.  It  is  dwarf  in  habit,  compact, 
strong  in  growth,  and  perfectly  hardy.  The  flowers  are 
in  larger  heads  than  in  the  original,  appearing  in  June,  and 
if  the  old  ones  are  removed  as  they  begin  to  decay,  they 
will  be  succeeded  by  new  ones,  though  more  sparingly, 
until  frost.  In  color  they  are  bright  crimson  or  deep  pink, 
and  as  they  envelop  the  bush  the  plant  becomes  one  of  the 
most  conspicuous  objects  in  the  garden.  It  grows  from 
two  to  three  feet,  and  is  well  adapted  to  edgings  of  bor- 
ders or  paths,  but  is  never  more  beautiful  than  when 
planted  in  masses. 

S.  reevesii,  as  known  in  the  catalogues,  is  a  Chinese 
species,  and  one  of  the  most  beautiful-flowering  sorts  of 
the  whole  family.  The  blossoms  are  larger  than  in  most 
of  the  early  bloomers,  of  the  purest  white,  and  exceedingly 
abundant.  But  it  cannot  be  depended  upon  in  our  far 
northern  climate  without  especial  care  and  protection, 
though  south  of  New  York  it  does  well.  The  flowers 
come  in  round  clusters  early  in  June.  There  is  a 
double-flowering  variety  of  this  species  which  is  of 
much  value  where  climatic  conditions  are  favorable. 
But,  unfortunately,  it  is  probably  even  less  hardy  than 
the  type.  How  far  south  it  may  thrive  is  scarcely  yet 


IP 

*& 


-  tJMbi 


130  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

determined,  but  it  bids  fair  to  be  a  boon  to  the  gardens 
of  that  section. 

S.  gigantea,  as  its  name  suggests,  is  probably  the  largest 
member  of  the  family.  When  grown  in  good,  moist  soil 
it  reaches  an  altitude  of  eight  or  ten  feet,  with  a  well- 
rounded,  bushy  form.  Its  flowers  are  in  large  white  clus- 
ters, and  very  effective.  It  is  especially  suited  to  planting 
by  running  streams  and  bodies  of  water,  or  in  positions 
where  a  showy  plant  is  wanted  to  hide  obnoxious  objects. 
Except  in  very  large  grounds  it  is  not  adapted  to  the  border. 
The  plant  is  seldom  found  in  cultivation,  or  even  named 
in  nurserymen's  catalogues. 

S.  ari&folia  is  a  native  of  the  Pacific  slope,  ranging  in 
its  habitat  from  southern  California  to  Manitoba.  Though 
found  as  far  north  as  the  49th  degree  of  latitude,  and 
on  the  Rocky  Mountain  slopes,  it  has  been  accounted 
somewhat  tender  in  New  England,  and  as  needing  slight 
protection  in  winter.  This  estimate  of  its  weakness  is  not 
borne  out  by  experiments  in  Newport,  though  it  is  doubt- 
less well  to  give  it  as  favorable  conditions  as  practicable. 
As  seen  there  it  grows  as  a  small  shrub,  with  numerous 
branches  covered  with  ashy-gray  bark  which  later  assumes 
a  darker  hue.  The  foliage  is  so  plentiful  that  in  a  well- 
grown  specimen  the  stems  are  scarcely  visible.  The 
flowers  are  individually  small,  white  tinted  with  green  and 
yellow,  and  in  quite  large  terminal  panicles,  continuing 
about  three  weeks  from  the  first  of  July.  They  have  a 
peculiar  odor  which  has  been  compared  to  that  of  chest- 
nut blossoms  or  sweet  birch.  The  plant  is  especially 
valuable  as  an  under-shrub,  and  it  grows  well  in  shady 


Spiraea.  131 

situations,  even  if  it  does  not  prefer  them.  This  charac- 
teristic makes  it  a  valuable  acquisition,  for  almost  every 
owner  of  an  estate  finds  places  which  it  is  difficult  to 
cover  for  want  of  sufficient  sunshine.  Under  favorable 
conditions  the  bush  is  said  to  grow  six  to  eight  feet  high, 
but  it  is  usually  much  lower.  Some  of  the  botanists  have 
been  inclined  to  consider  61.  ari&folia  as  a  variety  of  S. 
discolor,  instead  of  being  a  distinct  species,  and  some  are 
even  doubting  whether  it  is  a  true  spiraea  at  all.  These 
are  calling  it  Holodiscus  discolor.  A  rose  is  just  as  sweet 
by  any  other  name. 

S.  regeliana,  though  not  widely  distributed,  is  a  good 
plant.  It  has  dense  panicles  of  pink  blossoms  about  the 
first  of  July,  and  one  of  its  distinctive  peculiarities  is  that 
during  the  summer  new  stems  shoot  up  which  blossom 
late  in  the  season,  thus  prolonging  the  period  of  flowering 
to  autumn.  It  grows  from  three  to  five  feet  high  and  is 
hardy. 

S.  cana  is  one  of  the  smaller  spiraeas,  seldom  rising 
more  than  two  feet,  and  broadening  its  diameter  into  a 
well-rounded  bush  as  large  across  as  it  is  high.  It  is  a 
native  of  the  Croatian  Alps,  and  appropriately  named,  inas- 
much as  the  foliage  takes  on  a  grayish  hue  and  in  some  cases 
becomes  almost  white.  For  this  reason  the  tiny  blossoms 
are  less  conspicuous  than  they  might  otherwise  be,  as  they 
also  are  white  and  scattered  along  the  stems  and  branches 
in  great  profusion.  Where  indigenous  it  grows  freely 
among  the  rocks  and  in  dry  and  barren  places  which 
there  abound,  and  is  doubtless  the  best  adapted  to  such 
situations  of  all  the  spiraeas.  It  is  in  use  in  England, 


132  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

especially  in  planting  rockeries,  for  which  it  serves  an 
excellent  purpose  and  is  highly  prized.  For  some  reason 
it  is  scarcely  known  in  American  gardens,  but  should  no 
longer  be  overlooked,  especially  for  rockwork. 

6".  lindleyana  differs  from  most  of  the  species  in  having 
pinnate  foliage,  with  from  nine  to  twenty-one  leaflets, 
nearly  or  quite  sessile,  ovate-lanceolate  and  sharply  ser- 
rated. It  comes  from  the  Himalayas,  and  blossoms  in 
September,  the  flowers  being  white,  very  large,  and  dis- 
posed in  panicles  at  the  ends  of  the  branches.  It  is  a 
distinct  addition  to  the  fall  bloomers,  and  so  can  be  used 
to  advantage.  It  rises  from  four  to  six  feet.  It  is  counted 
hardy,  though  in  some  latitudes  it  freezes  to  the  ground, 
but  makes  growth  enough  during  the  summer  following 
to  permit  it  to  be  as  floriferous  as  though  its  stem  and 
branches  had  withstood  the  wintry  blasts  unscathed.  In 
fact,  the  young  foliage  is  more  vigorous  and  showy  than 
when  produced  on  the  last  year's  growth.  S.  sorbifolia  is 
another  form  with  pinnate  leaves,  and  sessile  leaflets  lance- 
olate and  doubly  as  well  as  sharply  serrated.  It,  too,  has 
large  white  flowers  in  terminal  panicles,  but  they  appear 
in  July  and  August,  a  month  earlier  than  the  preceding. 
It  is  a  native  of  Siberia. 

S.  arguta  is  a  more  recent  introduction  from  Japan,  and 
is  closely  related  to  the  thunbergii  of  the  same  country. 
It  grows  about  three  feet  in  height,  with  numerous  slen- 
der branches,  forming  a  rather  open  head  with  small,  deep 
green  leaves.  The  flowers  are  small,  pearly  white,  and  in 
such  abundance  as  to  envelop  the  whole  bush.  These 
break  out  in  very  early  spring,  appearing  in  April  or  May, 


Spiraea. 


i33 


according  to  location.  The  plant  is  entirely  hardy 
throughout  the  Northern  States,  and  is  known  to  thrive 
far  south,  and  westward  to  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Some 
authorities  pronounce  it  the  best  of  all  the  smaller  spiraeas 
as  a  spring  bloomer,  and  it  is  certainly  an  elegant  shrub, 


SPIR/EA  ARQUTA. 


and  as  such,  when  better  known,  is  sure  to  occupy  a  promi- 
nent place  in  garden  cultivation. 

There  is  a  multitude  of  additional  species  and  varieties, 
each  with  its  special  merits,  but  so  closely  resembling  one 
or  more  of  those  already  described  that  the  differences  are 
of  slight  significance  in  practical  application.  One  can 
scarcely  go  amiss  in  making  selections,  keeping  in  view 
what  is  wanted  as  to  size  and  season  of  flowering. 


134  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

XANTHOCERAS. 

Xanthoceras  sorbifolia  is  a  small  tree  but  little  known 
among  horticulturists  and  gardeners,  though  it  has  been 
long  enough  in  the  country  to  have  gained  a  much  wider 
distribution  had  its  merits  been  fully  appreciated.  It  is  a 
native  of  China,  and  is  the  only  species  of  its  type,  of  the 
order  Sapindacece.  The  name  comes  from  two  words, 
xanthos,  signifying  yellow,  and  keras,  horn,  and  is  applied 
because  of  the  peculiar  horn-like  glands  or  nectaries  be- 
tween the  petals.  It  is  said  in  its  native  country  to  form 
a  tree  in  some  instances  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  high,  but  in 
American  gardens  the  few  specimens  known  have  reached 
little  more  than  half  those  proportions.  What  they  may 
do  in  the  future  in  this  direction  it  is  not  easy  to  deter- 
mine. The  leaves  are  alternate,  compound,  and  serrate, 
resembling  those  of  the  mountain  ash,  while  the  flowers 
are  white  with  blood-red  streaks  at  the  base,  having  five 
petals  and  eight  stamens.  They  are  produced  in  simple 
racemes  at  the  end  of  the  branches,  the  individual  flowers 
being  about  an  inch  in  diameter.  These  are  not  only  very 
attractive,  but  they  are  followed  by  a  three-celled  fruit  said 
to  be  "  of  the  size  of  an  apple,"  which,  considering  the 
different  sizes  to  which  apples  grow,  is  not  very  definite. 

This  shrub,  instead  of  being  new,  was  first  pictured  and 
described  in  the  London  Garden  as  long  ago  as  1875,  and 
it  has  been  more  or  less  in  cultivation  in  Europe  aud 
America  ever  since.  It  has  been  grown  on  the  estate  of 
Charles  A.  Dana  at  Dorosis,  Long  Island,  for  a  dozen  or 
more  years  without  especial  protection,  and  though  not 
regarded  a  strong  growing  plant,  its  delicacy  of  habit  is 


136  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

esteemed  one  of  its  peculiar  charms.  Mr.  E.  S.  Carman 
reports  growing  the  plant  from  seed  on  his  experimental 
grounds  in  New  Jersey,  and,  having  seen  his  original  speci- 
men in  blossom,  says  the  flower-clusters  resemble  some- 
what those  of  the  horse-chestnut,  having  "  white  petals 
marked  with  red  at  the  base."  As  they  appear  in  early 
spring  they  are  certain  to  answer  a  good  purpose  in  the 
garden,  on  the  lawn,  or  wherever  else  planted.  It  ought 
to  be  a  valuable  acquisition  for  the  more  Southern  States, 
and  doubtless  will  be  so  regarded  as  soon  as  better  known 
in  that  section.  It  may  be  depended  upon,  so  far  as 
weather  conditions  are  concerned,  in  all  proper  situations 
south  of  Washington. 

ILEX— Holly.. 

THE  genus  Ilex  belongs  to  the  order  IlicinecE,  and 
includes  numerous  species  and  varieties.  These 
are  distributed  throughout  both  hemispheres,  and 
are  especially  abundant  in  South  America  and  within  the 
tropics.  They  are  also  found  in  Australia,  Africa,  Asia, 
and  our  own  country.  Of  course,  many  of  them  are  not 
suited  to  out-of-door  cultivation  within  the  temperate 
zones,  and  so  need  not  here  be  even  named  or  further  re- 
ferred to.  The  family  includes  the  holly,  the  prinos,  and 
some  other  sorts  popularly  known  under  different  names. 
Nearly  all  the  hardy  species  are  interesting  plants,  and 
some  of  them  are  counted  among  the  most  desirable  of 
ornamental  trees. 

/.  aquifolium  is  the  well-known  English  holly,  a  native 
not  only  of  Britain  and  other  portions  of  Europe,  but  also 


Ilex — Holly.  137 

of  western  Asia.  It  grows  in  the  form  of  a  small  tree,  ten 
to  twenty  feet  high,  but  sometimes  reaches  much  larger 
proportions,  and  is  famous  for  its  small,  round  red  berries 
and  its  glossy,  prickly  foliage.  The  leaves  are  oblong- 
ovate,  deep  green,  wavy,  sharply  toothed,  and  very  glossy. 
The  flowers  appear  in  June,  and  the  fruit  in  late  autumn, 
the  berries  continuing  well  into  winter.  Though  perfectly 
hardy  in  most  parts  of  England,  it  is  not  so  in  our  North- 
ern States.  Still,  fine  specimens  are  to  be  found  in  gar- 
dens as  far  north  as  the  Middle  States,  and,  under  favor- 
ing conditions,  in  New  England.  The  species  has  been 
prolific  in  varieties,  many  of  which  are  more  beautiful  than 
the  original,  and  are  worthy  of  general  introduction  to 
such  portions  of  America  as  are  fitted  to  receive  and  care 
for  them.  None  of  them  will  withstand  our  extreme 
northern  winters,  though  many  may  be  grown  under  glass 
to  advantage,  and  will  repay  such  treatment.  Nicholson, 
in  his  Dictionary  of  Gardening,  gives  a  list  of  these  varie- 
ties, some  of  the  best  of  which  are  as  follows  :  /.  a.  balearica 
is  held  to  be  one  of  the  best  of  its  class.  It  is  pretty 
well  known  in  certain  sections  of  the  United  States,  where 
it  thrives,  as  having  ovate  and  exceedingly  shiny  black, 
entire  or  spiny-toothed  foliage.  It  is  supposed  to  have 
originated  in  Minorca,  and  is  often  known  as  the  Minorca 
holly.  /.  a.  crassifolia  has  dull  green,  very  thick  leaves 
with  recurved  margins  and  prominent  saw-like  teeth  and 
purple  bark.  It  is  a  dwarf  and  a  slow  grower.  /.  a. 
doningtonensis  has  lanceolate  leaves  often  turned  to  one 
side  so  as  to  become  sickle-shaped.  It  has  few  or  no 
spines,  and  is  especially  adapted  to  pyramidal  rows.  /.  a. 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


hastata  appears  with  leaves  from  three  quarters  to  one  half 
inch  long,  and  about  half  an  inch  broad.  The  spines  are 
very  large,  consisting  usually  of  one  or  two  pairs  on  each 
side  of  the  base,  but  occasionally  more.  It  is  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  forms  which  the  plant  puts  on.  /.  a. 

myrtifolia  has 
ovate-  lanceolate 
leaves,  broad 
and  usually 
spiny  at  the  mar- 
gins, but  some- 
times quite 
entire ;  known 
also  as  ang^lst^- 
folia.  /.  a.platy- 
phylla,  as  its 
name  implies, 
has  broadly- 
ovate  leaves, 
having  spines 
sometimes  at 
their  edges.  It 

is  a  hardy  evergreen  from  the  Canary  Islands,  and  grows 
in  pyramidal  form.  /.  a.  whittingtonensis  is  pronounced  an 
elegant  and  distinct  form  with  lanceolate  leaves  two  and 
a  half  inches  long  and  one  and  a  half  wide,  slightly  re- 
curved, and  with  many  stiff  spines. 

There  are  also  numerous  varieties  with  gold-  and  silver- 
leaved  foliage,  that  are  still  more  showy.  Among  these 
is  /.  a.  argentea  marginata  which  has  broadly-ovate  leaves, 


ILEX  AOUIFOLIUM  AND  OPACA. 


Ilex — Holly.  139 

dark  green  with  the  disk  slightly  mottled,  and  with  an 
irregular,  narrow,  silvery  margin.  /.  a.  argentea  ele- 
gantissima  is  much  like  it  except  that  the  central  part  of 
the  leaf  is  dark  green  with  gray  blotches,  and  has  a 
margin  of  creamy  white.  The  foliage  of  /.  a.  argentea 
medio-picta  is  dark  green  at  the  edges  with  a  large  central 
blotch  of  creamy  white.  /.  a.  aurea  latifolia  is  also  a 
broad-leaved  variety  with  well-developed  spines,  the  disk 
marked  with  pale  green,  and  having  a  narrow,  irregular, 
golden  edge.  /.  a.  aurea  maculata  has  golden-spotted 
foliage,  and  a  leaf-blade  with  creamy-yellow  centre  sur- 
rounded with  a  creamy-white  border.  It  is  a  very  distinct 
variety  and  very  showy.  /.  a.  a^lrea  picta  latifolia,  popu- 
larly known  as  the  "  golden  milk-maid,"  has  long  leaves 
with  spines  variable  in  condition,  and  disk  irregularly 
marked  by  a  long  yellow  blotch,  with  irregular,  narrow, 
glossy  margin.  This  is  one  of  the  very  best.  /.  a.  aurea 
regina,  known  as  the  "  golden  queen,"  is  a  variety  in 
which  the  leaves  are  usually  much  mottled  with  gray  and 
green,  with  a  broad,  well-defined,  continuous  margin  of 
deep  yellow.  This  is  a  handsome  form  and  claimed  to  be 
the  finest  of  the  golden-edged  series.  /.  a.  ferox  ar- 
gentea, known  as  the  "  silver-striped  hedgehog "  holly, 
has  deep  green  leaves  bristling  with  stiff  spines  towards 
the  front  and  edges.  The  margins  are  creamy  white.  7. 
a.  handsworthensis  shows  much  longer  leaves  than  most 
others,  and  they  are  bordered  with  very  strong  white 
spines.  The  disk  is  mottled  with  green,  and  there  is  a 
distinct  margin  of  creamy  white.  /.  a.  wateriana  has 
leaves  oblong-ovate,  and  disk  of  dark  green,  mottled  often 


140  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

in  sectional  streaks  with  yellowish-green  and  grayish- 
green,  with  broad  but  irregular  marginal  bands  of  deep 
golden  yellow,  not  continuous,  being  sometimes  wholly 
golden  and  at  others  partly  so.  This  is  a  dwarf  shrub 
and  very  beautiful.  There  are  many  others  almost  or 
quite  equally  good,  but  this  list  will  certainly  answer  all 
practical  purposes. 

As  already  indicated,  there  are  numerous  species  of  the 
ilex  which  are  natives  of  Japan,  and  known  to  be  among 
the  most  interesting  and  beautiful  members  of  the  family. 
The  best  descriptions  of  these  are  furnished  by  Prof. 
Sargent,  first  published  in  Garden  and  Forest,  and  later 
incorporated  in  his  book  on  the  Flora  of  Japan.  The 
descriptions  of  those  which  follow  are  largely  compiled 
from  that  excellent  treatise  ;  and  I  take  this  method  of 
according  the  distinguished  author  due  credit. 

/.  latifolia  is  declared  by  Prof.  Sargent  to  be  the  most 
beautiful  of  all  the  Japanese  hollies,  though  there  are  a 
much  greater  number  indigenous  to  that  country  than  to 
any  other,  for  while  America  has  but  four  species  Japan 
has  no  less  than  eleven.  /.  latifolia  as  known  in  this 
country  is  but  a  good-sized  shrub,  while  in  the  land  of  its 
nativity  it  sometimes  grows  into  a  tree  from  fifty  to  sixty 
feet  high.  It  may  not  have  been  long  enough  with  us 
to  become  fully  developed,  but  it  is  doubted  if  in  this 
climate  it  will  ever  be  seen  in  such  proportions.  The 
foliage  is  especially  attractive,  the  leaves  being  about 
six  inches  long  and  three  or  four  wide,  very  thick,  dark 
green,  and  exceedingly  lustrous.  The  fruit  is  described 
as  brilliant  scarlet  and  ripening  in  late  autumn  or  early 


Ilex — Holly.  141 

winter.  It  is  produced  in  axiliary  clusters  and  continues 
on  the  branches  until  the  following  summer.  Prof.  Sar- 
gent concludes  his  description  by  saying :  "  Ilex  latifolia 
is  probably  the  handsomest  broad-leaved  evergreen  that 
grows  in  the  forests  of  Japan,  not  only  on  account  of  its 
brilliant  fruit  but  also  on  account  of  the  size  and  character 
of  its  foliage.  It  may  be  expected  to  prove  hardy  in 
Washington,  and  will  certainly  flourish  in  the  southern 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  States." 

/.  integra  is  another  beautiful  and  desirable  plant, 
which  has  been  introduced  here  where  it  is  sometimes 
seen  as  a  small  tree,  but  oftener  as  a  mere  shrub.  It  is 
already  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  the 
newer  sorts  now  coming  into  use.  It  is  said  to  be  often 
planted  in  the  temple  gardens  of  Japan  along  with  lati- 
folia, and  highly  appreciated  wherever  known.  It  is  not 
quite  as  free  a  grower  as  the  preceding,  but  is  scarcely 
less  desirable.  The  leaves  are  obovate,  three  or  four 
inches  long,  narrow,  with  entire  edges,  and  continuing 
during  the  winter.  The  fruit  is  about  half  an  inch  in 
diameter,  abundant,  and  holding  until  the  next  season, 
and  at  all  times  very  showy.  A  variety,  known  as  /.  leuo- 
clada,  is  a  northern  form,  and  proves  to  be  a  dwarf  but 
two  or  three  feet  high.  This  is  described  as  having 
narrower  leaves,  and  smaller  fruit,  and  will  doubtless 
prove  hardier  than  most  of  the  other  Japanese  sorts  in 
this  country.  It  is  practically  unknown,  as  yet,  in  Ameri- 
can horticulture,  but  gives  promise  of  becoming  a  desira- 
ble acquisition,  especially  for  northern  planting. 

/.  crenata  is  better  known  to  us  than  either  latifolia 


142  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

or  integra,  and  can  be  readily  procured  from  many  of  our 
best  nurseries.  It  may  not  have  become  very  widely  dis- 
tributed, but  it  is  a  gem  worthy  of  much  more  consider- 
ation than  it  has  apparently  yet  received.  It  is  a  low, 
much-branched,  and  somewhat  spreading  shrub  three  to 
four  feet  high,  but  in  cultivation  it  not  infrequently  rises 
to  a  height  of  twenty  feet,  and  so  assumes  the  habit  of  a 
tree  not  unlike  the  box  in  general  appearance.  The  leaves 
are  light  green,  scarcely  more  than  an  inch  long,  ovate 
with  pointed  apex  and  finely  toothed.  The  fruit  is  black, 
and  produced  in  great  quantities,  and  contrasts  well  with 
the  foliage.  "  This,"  says  our  authority,  "  is  the  most 
popular  of  all  the  hollies  with  the  Japanese,  and  a  plant 
cut  into  fantastic  shape  is  found  in  nearly  every  garden. 
Varieties  with  variegated  leaves  are  common  and  much 
esteemed.  Ilex  crenata  and  several  of  its  varieties  with 
variegated  foliage  were  introduced  into  western  gardens 
many  years  ago,  and  are  occasionally  cultivated,  although 
the  value  of  this  plant  as  an  under-shrub  appears  to  be 
hardly  known  or  appreciated  outside  of  Japan.  Of  the 
broad-leaved  Japan  evergreens,  I  have  the  most  hope  of 
success  with  Ilex  crenata  in  this  climate  ;  and  if  it  proves 
really  hardy  it  will  be  a  most  useful  addition  to  our  shrub- 
beries." This  estimate  was  made  several  years  ago,  and 
the  trials  since  indicate  that  it  is  as  great  an  acquisition 
as  was  at  that  time  anticipated. 

/.  opaca,  American  holly,  is  a  species,  though  not  so 
beautiful  as  the  English,  that  is  much  to  be  preferred  for 
planting  throughout  the  North.  It  grows  to  about  the 
same  dimensions  as  crenata,  has  oval,  flat,  deep-green 


Ilex — Holly.  143 

leaves,  the  wavy  margins  being  armed  with  strong,  sharp 
spines.  It,  too,  is  an  evergreen,  and  attractive  all  the 
year.  The  small  white  flowers  appear  in  loose  clusters 
along  the  base  of  the  young  branches  in  May  and  June, 
though  they  are  never  very  conspicuous.  The  fruit  is  a 
small,  bright  red  berry  continuing  on  the  branches  until 
almost  spring.  The  species  is  widely  distributed  along 
the  seacoast  from  New  England  southward,  but  not  very 
plentifully  except  in  a  few  locations,  and  then  it  grows  in 
swamps  where  it  is  partially  protected  from  the  hot  sum- 
mer's sun  and  the  sharp  winds  of  winter.  It  is  more  plen- 
tiful southward,  extending  even  to  Florida,  and  again 
through  the  barren  sections  of  the  lower  Mississippi  val- 
ley. It  is  accounted  difficult  of  removal  for  transplanting, 
and  so  it  is  after  having  acquired  age  and  considerable 
proportions.  But  grown  in  the  nursery  and  frequently 
transplanted,  it  may  be  as  safely  transferred  from  one  lo- 
cation to  another  as  are  most  other  trees.  While  it  can 
be  made  to  thrive  in  almost  any  good  garden  soil,  it  will 
do  better  in  moist  locations  and  where  protected  by  build- 
ings or  trees  from  piercing  winds. 

/.  verticilata  or  prinos  is  a  native  of  this  country,  a 
deciduous  shrub,  growing  about  six  feet,  whose  merits  are 
by  no  means  appreciated.  It  is  sometimes  known  as  the 
black  alder,  and  in  some  sections  as  the  winterberry.  It 
has  ovate,  wedge-shaped,  pointed  leaves,  somewhat  ser- 
ater,  and  downy  on  the  veins  beneath,  but  its  chief  excel- 
lence consists  in  the  fact  that  in  autumn  it  is  covered  with 
a  multitude  of  crimson-scarlet  berries,  which  hold  their 
places  long  after  the  foliage  is  gone.  It  is  easily  one  of 


144  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  most  valuable  shrubs  that  we  have  for  early  winter  ef- 
fects, though  not  especially  attractive  in  summer. 

SYMPLOCOS. 

THE  symplocos  group  constitutes  a  large  genus  of 
the  order  Styracacecz,  numbering  nearly,  or  quite, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  species.  They  are  mostly 
natives  of  warm  climates,  and  in  the  temperate  zones  are 
better  adapted  to  the  conservatory  or  greenhouse  than  to 
out-of-door  cultivation.  None  of  them  is  sufficiently  hardy 
to  endure  the  cold  of  New  England  or  the  Northwest,  but 
several  evidently  have  a  horticultural  mission  in  our  south- 
ern latitudes,  where  they  are  already  more  or  less  planted, 
and  with  excellent  results.  It  is  now  believed  that  they 
have  also  a  more  extended  climatic  range  northward  than 
has  been  heretofore  supposed,  and  Mr.  Joseph  Meehan 
certifies  to  the  fact  that  they  are  growing  in  the  vicinity 
of  Philadelphia,  and,  under  favorable  conditions,  proving 
very  satisfactory.  Specimens  are  also  to  be  found  in 
southern  New  England  and  in  New  York,  which  have 
withstood  several  winters  with  but  slight  extra  care  or 
protection. 

S.  cratczoides,  so  far  as  tested,  appears  to  be  the  most 
hardy  member  of  the  genus,  and  it  is  this  species  that  on 
trial  has  afforded  the  satisfactory  results  referred  to. 
This  symplocos  is  a  small  tree  or  shrub  five  to  eight  feet 
tall,  and  in  its  general  outline  somewhat  resembles  the 
hawthorn,  though  differing  materially  from  it  in  both 
blossom  and  fruit.  Its  leaves  are  opposite,  two  and  one 
half  inches  long,  rough  and  thick.  The  blossoms  are 


Symplocos.  145 

small,  white,  and  borne  in  panicles  about  five  inches  in 
length.  They  are  followed  by  an  abundance  of  bright 
ultramarine-blue  fruit  which  ripens  in  September  and  con- 
stitutes one  of  the  chief  attractions.  The  plant  is  certain 
to  become  a  favorite  wherever  it  can  be  grown,  and 
deservedly  so.  It  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  is  also  found 
growing  freely  among  the  Himalayas. 

,51  tinctoria  is  a  native  of  the  southern  United  States, 
where  it  is  popularly  called  sweet-leaf,  because  of  the 
fragrance  of  its  foliage ;  and  for  the  same  reason  it  is 
sometimes  known  as  horse-sugar.  In  its  favorite  haunts 
it  is  to  be  classed  as  an  evergreen,  but  it  may  not  be 
found  such  when  carried  to  the  extreme  limit  of  its  north- 
ern endurance.  The  flowers  are  yellow,  borne  in  clusters 
of  from  six  to  fourteen,  and  exhale  an  agreeable  odor. 
The  leaves  are  long  and  narrow,  from  three  to  five  inches, 
somewhat  coriaceous  and  sharply  toothed.  The  symplo- 
cos  grows  from  three  to  five  feet  in  height,  and  is  one  of 
our  prettiest  American  shrubs.  It  can  scarcely  be  planted 
successfully  in  the  North,  but  has  a  field  of  its  own  in 
the  lower  tiers  of  States.  Treated  as  is  the  hydrangea 
hortensis  and  cared  for  in  winter,  it  may  be  grown  in 
the  same  latitudes. 

S.  decora  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  southern  cultivation. 
It  comes  from  China,  and  is  a  small  camellia-like  tree  w^ith 
thick,  leathery  foliage  of  considerable  beauty.  Its  flowers 
are  small  but  abundant,  produced  in  axillary  clusters  along 
the  young  branches.  Mr.  A.  B.  Westland  says  in  Garden 
and  Forest,  in  calling  attention  to  this  plant :  "  The  petals 
are  white  and  sometimes  tinged  with  a  delicate  shade  of 


146  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

azure-blue ;  the  cup  of  the  flower  is  filled  with  a  free 
cluster  of  slender  stamens  each  crowned  with  a  pale  yellow 
anther.  The  size  of  the  flower  varies  from  one  half  to 
three  quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  the  slightest 
globular  clusters  are  from  three  to  four  inches  across.  In 
early  spring  it  bursts  into  a  profusion  of  delicate  blossoms 
that  are  gracefully  blended  with  the  glossy,  green  leaves. 
Its  indescribable  lightness  and  grace,  combined  with  its 
delicious  fragrance,  make  it  especially  charming." 

STYRAX. 

THIS  genus  of  the  natural  order  Styracacea,  contains 
a  large  number  of  species  widely  distributed,  a  few 
only  of  which  are  sufficiently  hardy  for  out-of-door 
cultivation,  except  in  tropical  or  semitropical  climates. 
It  is  said  that  the  Greek  name,  by  which  it  is  still  known, 
was  given  to  it  by  Theophrastus,  and  that  in  those  early 
days  it  was  even  more  highly  esteemed  than  now.  It  was 
then,  and  still  is,  regarded  as  valuable  in  medicine,  as  it 
produces  a  balsam,  known  as  storax,  highly  prized,  and 
yet  in  use.  One  of  the  varieties  furnishes  what  is  known 
as  benzoin,  but  this  is  not  adapted  to  garden  cultivation  in 
this  climate.  Three  species  only  are  natives  of  North 
America,  and  these  are  found  to  be  somewhat  closely  re- 
lated to  the  halesias,  which  have  been  already  described. 
Of  these  but  one  is  probably  worthy  of  cultivation  as  or- 
namental, and  even  this  is  surpassed  in  interest  by  the 
introductions  from  abroad. 

£  grandiflora  is  a  small  bush  growing  to  a  height  of 
from  five  to  seven  feet.     Its  foliage  is  long  and  pointed, 


STYRAX  OBASSIA. 


148  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  larger  than  in  most  of  the  other  sorts.  The  flowers 
are  pure  white  and  quite  numerous,  appearing  in  early 
summer,  and  making  it  a  handsome  bush  almost  certain  to 
attract  attention  either  singly  or  in  the  border.  It  may 
not  be  perfectly  hardy  in  the  Northern  States,  but  over  a 
large  section  of  the  country  it  can  be  planted  with  good 
results.  S.  obassia  is  also  a  shrub  of  dwarfish  habit,  with 
leaves  somewhat  like  those  of  the  catalpa,  and  racemes  of 
white  flowers  six  inches  in  length  and  much  resembling 
those  of  the  well-known  mock-orange. 

S.  japonica,  or  perhaps  more  correctly,  S.  serrnlata,  is 
held  to  be  superior  to  the  American  species  above  de- 
scribed. Though  known  here  for  some  years,  it  has  not 
been  grown  freely  in  the  nurseries,  and  so  has  not  been 
widely  distributed.  But  it  is,  in  fact,  a  very  choice  shrub 
or  tree,  for  it  may  be  grown  as  either,  and,  whether  one 
or  the  other,  is  symmetrical  in  shape.  If  left  to  take  its 
own  course,  it  usually  grows  with  a  single,  straight  stem, 
branching  low  and  quite  freely.  The  main  branches  stand 
out  almost  horizontally  from  the  stem,  while  the  branch- 
lets  are  small,  twiggy,  and  quite  numerous.  By  proper 
training  and  cutting  out,  the  tree  may  be  made  to  take  on 
much  the  form  of  a  linden  or  maple,  and  rise  to  a  height 
of  twenty  or  thirty  feet.  But  for  best  floral  effects  the 
small  twigs  should  be  preserved,  as  the  flowers  break  out 
on  the  whole  length  of  these,  and  thus  almost  completely 
cover  the  entire  framework.  They  are  pure  white,  about 
one  inch  in  diameter,  and  set  off  by  rich  yellow  stamens. 
The  leaves  are  small,  serrate,  sharp-pointed,  and  rather 
light  green.  The  plant  blooms  in  early  summer,  the  fruit 


Symplocos.  149 

following  in  autumn  and  hanging  in  round  balls,  the  seeds 
in  which  somewhat  resemble  kernels  of  coffee.  The  plant 
blossoms  and  bears  fruit  when  quite  young,  and  is  at- 


STYRAX  JAPONICA. 


tractive  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  It  has  proved  hardy 
both  North  and  South,  and  thrives  in  any  good  garden  soil. 
Mr.  Falconer  in  his  notes  says  that  "when  in  full  bloom  it 
is  the  loveliest  plant  in  our  collection,  but,  alas  !  it  lasts 
only  a  few  days  in  flower." 


150  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

DIERVILLA— Weigela. 

ALTHOUGH  this  group  is  classified  by  the  bota- 
nists as  Diervilla,  the  plants  are  so  much  better 
known  as  weigelas  that  the  continued  use  of  the 
name  under  which  they  were  introduced  to  English  horti- 
culturists is  still  maintained  in  most  of  the  catalogues,  and 
is  perhaps  still  to  be  preferred  for  common  use.  That 
name  was  given  by  Thunberg  in  honor  of  Weigel,  a  Ger- 
man scientist  enjoying  at  the  time  considerable  distinction 
as  a  botanist.  But  as  a  French  surgeon,  Dr.  Dierville, 
had  previously  reported  the  discovery  of  an  American 
member  of  the  family,  which,  by  the  by,  proves  to  be  the 
only  one  indigenous  to  this  country,  the  genus  had  been 
named  in  honor  of  this  discoverer  before  the  introduction 
of  the  Asiatic  species  to  European  gardens,  and  under  the 
well-known  law  of  priority,  the  name  still  adheres.  The 
Chinese  plant  was  discovered  by  Robert  Fortune  in  1844, 
and  was  esteemed  by  him  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all 
the  plants  which  he  had  been  able  to  gather  and  send 
to  European  gardens  from  that  floriferous  country.  The 
first  specimen  which  he  saw  is  described  as  growing  in  a 
Mandarin's  garden  on  the  island  of  Chusan,  and  character- 
ized as  a  bush  covered  with  rose-colored  flowers,  which 
hung  in  graceful  bunches  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves  and 
the  ends  of  the  branches.  "  Everyone  saw  and  admired 
the  beautiful  weigela.  I  immediately  marked  it  as  one 
of  the  finest  plants  in  northern  China  and  determined  to 
send  plants  of  it  home  in  every  ship  until  I  should  hear  of 
its  safe  arrival.  It  forms  a  neat  bush,  not  unlike  a  syringa 
in  habit,  deciduous  in  winter  and  flowering  in  the  months 


Diervilla — Weigela.  1 5 1 

of  April  and  May.  One  great  recommendation  to  it,  is  that 
it  is  a  plant  of  the  easiest  cultivation.  Cuttings  readily 
strike  any  time  during  the  winter  and  spring  months,  with 
ordinary  attention,  and  the  plant  itself  grows  well  in  any 
good  soil.  It  should  be  grown  as  it  is  in 
China,  not  tied  up  in  that  formal,  unnatural 
way  in  which  we  see  plants  brought  to 
our  exhibitions,  but  a  main  stem  or  two 
chosen  for  leaders,  and  then  when  the 
plant  comes  into  bloom,  the  branches  are 
loaded  with  beautiful  flowers  which  hang 
down  in  graceful  and  natural  festoons." 

D.  rosea  is  the  plant  which  thus  attract- 
ed Mr.  Fortune's  attention,  and  is  still  the 
best  known  of  the  several  species.  His 
account,  as  given  above,  is  sufficiently  full 
and  accurate  to  represent  it  as  it  appears 
in  this  country,  where  it  has  made  itself 
entirely  at  home.  The  shrub  possesses  a 
tendency  to  a  somewhat  straggling  growth 
not  altogether  objectionable,  though  it 
must  be  cut  back  severely  and  at  the 
proper  time,  if  a  more  regular  and  com-  WEIGELA  ROSEA. 
pact  head  is  desired.  It  grows  to  a  height  of  six  to  eight 
feet,  with  numerous  slender  stems  and  branches.  The 
leaves  are  ovate-lanceolate  with  finely  toothed  edges,  and 
are  of  good  color  throughout  the  summer.  The  flowers 
put  forth  in  early  spring  in  great  profusion,  and  are  deep 
rose,  sometimes  freely  marked  with  white.  There  are 
several  varieties,  one,  D.  r.  nana,  a  veritable  dwarf  with  a 


152 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


well-formed,  compact  head,  and  a  free  bloomer.  Another, 
D.  r.  nana  aitrea,  has  foliage  of  a  rich  golden  color, 
especially  in  spring  during  the  freshness  of  the  leaves.  A 
third,  D.  r.  stelziteri,  is  distinguished  by  its  multitude  of 
flowers  of  a  reddish-purple  tinge.  Each  of  these  dwarf 
forms,  of  two  to  three  feet,  is  well  suited  to  crowded  situ- 
ations where  there  is  no  room  for  the  larger  kinds. 

D.  Candida  differs  from  the  preceding  chiefly  in  having 
creamy-white  flowers  which  do  not  appear  until  the  first  of 
June.  The  plant  is  of  a  more  upright  growth  and  with 
less  disposition  to  spread  by  either  its  roots  or  branches, 
and  can  be  used  to  advantage  as  affording  agreeable 
contrasts  with  the  darker  shades  or  when  planted  by  itself 
wherever  a  shrub  with  beautiful  white  flowers  at  that  sea- 
son is  desired.  It  is  greatly  to 
be  preferred  to  the  D.  horten- 
sis  nivea,  also  producing  white 
flowers,  though  the  latter  has 
been  much  praised. 

D.  amabilis,  lovely  weigela, 
differs  from  the  rosea  in  being 
of  more  robust  habit  and  in 
growing  to  a  larger  size.  Its 
blossoms  appear  later,  and  at  a 
time  when  few  shrubs  in  blos- 
som grace  the  landscape.  The 
foliage  is  somewhat  coarse  and  the  flowers  very  conspicu- 
ous. Many  consider  it  the  best  of  all  the  family,  but  it  is 
scarcely  entitled  to  that  pre-eminence.  Its  varieties  worthy 
of  mention  are  the  isolince,  having  flowers  white  with  yellow 


WEIQELA  VARIEQATA. 


Diervilla — Weigela.  153 

at  the  base  ;  the  van  houttei,  red  and  white,  and  the 
striata,  red  and  white  in  bands.  What  is  known  as  the  va- 
riegated weigela,  D.  variegata,  is  a  variety,  some  say,  of 
the  rosea,  and  others  of  the  amabilis.  It  is  of  smaller  size 
than  either,  and  grows  more  compactly.  The  flowers  are 
bright  pink  and  rose,  appearing  in  May  or  early  June. 
The  leaves  are  beautifully  variegated,  the  margins'  being 
creamy-white,  and,  when  well  grown,  sure  to  attract  atten- 
tion. As  single  well-rounded  specimens  on  the  lawn,  few 
plants  are  more  attractive  than  this,  and  it  is  equally  fitted 
for  massing  or  ornamental  hedging.  Though  thought  to 
be  not  quite  so  hardy  as  some,  it  is  sufficiently  so  for  all 
practical  purposes,  except  in  the  most  exposed  situations. 
The  white-flowered  weigela,  hortensis  nivea,  has  large, 
pure-white  blossoms  which  remain  long  on  the  branches. 
The  ovate  leaves  are  also  larger  than  most  others.  It 
is  not  entirely  hardy  in  exposed  situations.  There  is  a 
variety  whose  flowers  are  deep  red  when  partially  ex- 
panded, but  afterward  fade  into  white. 

D.  floribunda  has  blossoms  of  rich,  dark  crimson,  and 
somewhat  in  the  form  of  fuchsias.  It  comes  to  us 
from  Japan,  and  proves  perfectly  hardy.  It  blooms 
abundantly  in  spring,  and,  if  closely  cut  back,  makes  a 
vigorous  growth  and  puts  forth  a  second  harvest  of  flowers 
in  autumn.  Its  foliage  is  dark  colored,  and  contrasts 
finely  with  other  sorts.  It  is  known  also  as  the 
D.  mul ti flora. 

D.  arborea  is  larger  than  any  of  the  preceding,  and 
easier  grown  into  tree  form.  Its  leaves  are  large,  flowers 
tube-shaped,  much  like  some  of  the  honeysuckles,  mostly 


154  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

pale  yellow  or  rose,  and  appear  after  those  of  most  of  the 
other  species  and  varieties  have  passed  by.  It  is  a  valu- 
able member  of  the  family,  and  fills  an  important  place  in 
cultivation.  Another  good  plant  is  D.  lemoinei,  which  pro- 
duces changeable  flowers  as  to  color,  pale  red  turning  to 
deep  rose,  and  again  to  a  rich  wine-color.  It  is  esteemed 
a  choice  plant,  but  is  not  largely  cultivated. 

Professor  Sargent,  who  during  one  of  his  visits  to  Japan 
made  a  study  of  the  wild  types,  says  that  in  the  central 
and  northern  sections  diervilla,  weigela,  is  a  common 
shrub  on  the  borders  of  mountain  woods  and  by  the  banks 
of  mountain  streams,  and  he  became  of  the  opinion  that 
what  had  been  referred  to  by  other  botanists  as  several 
distinct  species,  are  in  reality  one  and  the  same  with  varia- 
tions such  as  might  be  expected  from  differences  in  soils 
and  exposures.  From  seeds  which  he  gathered,  speci- 
mens have  been  grown  in  the  Arnold  Arboretum,  and 
these  are  known  as  Diervilla  japonica.  He  illustrated 
them  in  Garden  and  Forest  with  the  following  accom- 
panying description  :  "  It  has  ovate,  acute,  or  acuminate 
leaves  which  are  nearly  glabrous  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  hairs  on  the  lower  surface  of  the  midribs  and  veins,  or 
on  some  individuals  these  are  clothed  more  or  less  thickly 
with  soft  pubescence.  The  flowers  are  borne  in  few  or 
many-flowered  clusters  which  are  long-stalked  or  nearly 
sessile, -the  two  forms  appearing  on  the  same  plant;  and 
they  are  rose-colored,  pale  yellow,  pale  red,  or  nearly 
white  on  the  same  branch  or  on  different  branches  of  the 
same  plant,  and  flowers  which  are  pale  when  they  open 
often  become  rose-color  in  fading."  When  this  descrip- 


Ribes — Flowering  Currant.  155 

tion  was  written,  the  hardiness  of  the  species  for  this  lati- 
tude had  not  been  determined,  nor  is  it  yet  thought  the 
indications  are  favorable  for  its  future  usefulness. 

RIBES — Flowering  Currant. 

THE  currants  should  not  be  overlooked  among  the 
ornamental  shrubs,  as  some  of  them  prove  of 
special  value  in  garden  planting.  They  belong  to 
the  order  Saxifragacece,  and  are  included  in  the  genus  ribes, 
numbering  between  fifty  and  sixty  species.  The  origin  of 
the  name  is  said  to  be  Arabic,  and  specimens  are  found 
indigenous  to  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,  and  North  and  South 
America,  growing  most  freely  in  mountainous  regions, 
and  often  at  considerable  elevations.  All  are  of  easy  cul- 
tivation, and  many  of  them  are  prized  for  their  fruit  as 
well  as  their  flowers.  The  foliage  of  some  of  the  spe- 
cies is  liable  to  mildew,  and  all  are  a  prey  to  certain 
insect  pests.  These  are,  however,  under  modern  appli- 
ances, so  far  subject  to  the  control  of  the  gardener  as  to 
prove  but  slight  obstacles  to  success. 

R.  alpinum  is  of  dwarfish  habit,  seldom  rising  above 
two  or  three  feet,  and,  as  its  name  indicates,  has  its  home 
in  the  mountains.  It  produces  its  pale  yellow  or  nearly 
white  blossoms  in  May.  They  are  in  erect  racemes,  and 
followed  by  deep  scarlet  and  very  showy  fruit.  R.  aureum 
is  the  well-known  Missouri  or  Buffalo  currant,  and  is  prob- 
ably more  planted  than  any  other.  As  it  was  found  grow- 
ing freely  on  the  western  prairies  and  among  the  foothills 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  it  took  the  local  names  by 
which  it  is  still  popularly  known.  The  bush  is  larger  than 


156  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  alpinum,  attaining  a  height  of  four  to  eight  feet  under 
favorable  conditions,  and  a  breadth  of  from  three  to  six.  Its 
leaves  are  three-lobed,  toothed,  ciliated  at  the  base,  and  of 
good  color.  The  blossoms  appear  in  May,  and  are  bright 
yellow  with  pink  stamens,  the  petals  being  considerably 
shorter  than  the  calyx  segments.  The  fruit  ripens  late  in 
midsummer,  and  is  also  yellow,  though  occasionally  tinted 
with  purple  or  black.  As  it  is  edible,  it  serves  the  double 
purpose  of  being  both  useful  and  ornamental.  R.fragrans 
is  a  variety  with  larger  and  more  fragrant  flowers. 

R.  floridiun  is  our  common  black  currant,  and  by 
some  is  supposed  to  be  a  variety  of  the  aureum.  It  is  a 
native  of  New  England,  and  grows  freely  along  the  Alle- 
ghany  ranges  and  throughout  the  far  West.  Its  foliage  is 
often  sprinkled  with  white  resinous  dots,  and  in  autumn 
assumes  a  tint  of  bronze  which  adds  to  its  attractions. 
The  tubular,  bell-shaped  flowers  show  themselves  in  June, 
and  are  produced  in  quite  large  racemes  somewhat  downy 
and  of  a  greenish-white  color.  The  fruit  is  nearly 
round,  dark-colored,  and  by  many  esteemed  for  culinary 
purposes. 

R.  sanguineum  grows  from  three  to  four  feet,  and,  un- 
like most  of  the  others,  blossoms  in  midsummer.  The 
flowers  are  carmine  and  yellow,  and  in  rich  clusters  hang- 
ing among  the  leaves  and  branches,  producing  a  fine  effect. 
There  is  a  double-flowering  variety  still  more  attractive, 
but,  unfortunately,  neither  of  these  is  entirely  hardy  in  the 
Northern  States,  and  if  planted  there  must  be  given 
favored  location,  or  receive  especial  protection  in  winter. 
Farther  south  it  is  hardy.  R.  gordonianum  is  supposed  to 


Stuartia.  157 

be  a  hybrid  between  the  aureum  and  the  sanguineum,  and 
partakes  of  the  good  qualities  of  both.  It  is  the  most  pro- 
fuse bloomer  in  the  list,  the  flowers  appearing  in  hanging 
racemes  of  crimson  and  yellow  early  in  June. 

STUARTIA. 

THIS  is  a  genus  of  beautiful  shrubs  or  small  trees, 
containing  but  a  few  species,  of  which  two  are 
natives  of  the  United  States,  and  perhaps  two  or 
three  of  Japan  and  China.  It  was  named  in  honor  of 
Lord  Bute — John  Stuart — who  gave  considerable  attention 
to  shrubs  and  trees,  and  who  is  described  by  a  writer  in  the 
time  of  Linnaeus  as  "a  most  knowing  botanist."  None  of 
the  species  are  entirely  hardy  in  northern  latitudes,  but  it  is 
proved  by  more  recent  trials  that  they  thrive  in  southern 
New  England,  and  are  as  well  suited  to  that  fickle  climate 
as  are  many  of  our  most  common  shrubs.  Of  their  desir- 
ability in  garden  cultivation  there  can  be  no  dispute,  and 
Nicholson  in  his  dictionary  says  they  merit  a  place  in 
every  collection  of  ornamental  shrubs.  They  belong  to 
the  order  Ternstromiacece,  and  produce  large  camellia- 
like  flowers  of  six  sepals  and  five  petals,  with  a  multitude 
of  stamens.  All  the  species  should  be  planted  in  shel- 
tered positions,  as  they  are  unfavorably  affected  by  high 
winds  though  seldom  suffering  from  severe  cold. 

,S.  pentagyna. — This  is  a  native  of  the  Alleghany 
Mountain  region,  extending  from  northern  Virginia  south- 
ward, and  it  is  also  found  on  the  foothills  of  the  Big 
Smoky  Mountains  in  Tennessee.  It  is  a  shrub  grow- 
ing eight  to  twelve  feet,  has  oval,  sharply  pointed  foli- 


158 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


age,  and  creamy-white  flowers  in  July  and  August.  These 
are  both  interesting  and  beautiful.  "  The  buds  are  round 
like  those  of  a  peony,  swelling  to  an  inch  in  diameter 
before  the  leaves  unfold.  The  petals  are  one  and  one- 
half  inches  broad  in  the  middle,  and  two  inches  long — the 
flower,  borne  on  a  short,  strong  peduncle,  being  fully  four 

inches  in  diam- 
eter. About 
the  edges  the 
petals  are 
crimped,  re- 
minding one  of 
a  fluted  shell 
like  that  of 
the  scallop, 
and  suggesting 
shell  flower  as 
an  appropriate 
familiar  name. 
In  the  centre 
of  the  flower  is 
a  cluster  of  a 
hundred  stamens  or  more,  with  prominent,  orange-col- 
ored anthers.  The  petals  are  nominally  five,  but  often 
we  find  two  or  three  more,  the  stamens  having  changed  to 
petals."  When  in  full  blossom  the  plant  is  one  of  surpris- 
ing beauty,  and  can  never  fail  to  command  admiration. 

•51  virginica  is  also  a  native  of  the  State  whose  name 
it  bears,  though  it  may  have  grown  farther  north  also,  as 
one  of  the  names  by  which  it  was  introduced  to  the  public 


STUARTIA  PENTAQYNA. 


STUARTIA    VIRQINICA. 


159 


160  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

was  6^.  marylandica,  indicating  Maryland  as  its  habitat. 
The  plant  is  somewhat  smaller  than  the  preceding,  and 
blossoms  a  month  or  more  earlier.  The  flowers  are  white, 
with  purple  filaments  in  striking  contrast  with  their  sur- 
roundings. There  is  usually  but  one  style,  whereas  in  the 
other  there  are  five.  The  foliage  differs  in  that  the  leaves 
are  more  oblong,  serrulate,  and  downy  on  the  under  side. 
Both  have  been  introduced  to  European  gardens,  and  re- 
ceived with  favor  by  all  who  have  become  acquainted  with 
their  characteristics.  They  do  best  in  a  peaty  or  sandy 
soil. 

S.  pseudo-camellia  is  so  named  from  the  fact  that  its 
flowers  very  much  resemble  those  of  the  camellia.  Pro- 
fessor Sargent,  in  his  notes  on  the  forest  flora  of  Japan, 
says  that  Stiiartia  pseudo-camellia  is  common  in  the 
Hakone  and  Nikko  Mountains  between  2000  and  3000 
feet  above  the  sea,  where  it  is  a  most  striking  object,  from 
the  peculiar  appearance  of  the  bark  ;  this  is  light  red,  very 
smooth,  and  peels  off  in  small  flakes  like  that  of  the  crape 
myrtle.  It  becomes  there  a  tree  of  considerable  size  ;  and 
on  the  shores  of  Lake  Chuzenji  he  measured  a  specimen 
whose  trunk  at  three  feet  from  the  ground  girted  six  feet, 
and  which  was  upward  of  fifty  feet  high.  The  flowers  re- 
semble a  single  white  camellia,  are  smaller  and  less  beau- 
tiful than  the  flowers  of  our  coast  species,  ,S.  virginica,  but 
are  larger  than  those  of  pentagyna.  Specimens  were  sent 
to  America  nearly  thirty  years  ago  by  Mr.  Thomas  Hogg, 
and  the  tree  appears  to  have  flowered  in  the  neighborhood 
of  New  York  several  years  before  it  was  known  in  Europe, 
where  of  late  it  has  attracted  considerable  attention.  As 


Rhododendron.  161 

known  in  England  and  America  this  plant  grows  from  ten 
to  twelve  feet  high,  with  fine  foliage,  oval,  dentate,  sharp- 
pointed  at  the  apex,  and  narrowed  at  the  base  and  tinged 
with  red,  as  are  also  the  sepals  of  the  creamy  flowers. 
When  in  full  flower  the  entire  shrub  is  often  covered 
with  these  large,  showy  blossoms,  but  it  is  not  certain 
that  even  at  its  best  it  is  superior  to  the  American  sorts. 

RHODODENDRON. 

THE  rhododendrons  are  among  the  very  best  of  the 
broad-leaved  evergreens,  and  are  everywhere  much 
admired.     A  large  group  of  these  plants  when  in 
full    bloom    is   a   sight   seldom   to   be   forgotten.       And 
in  winter  they  are  equally  prominent  because  of  their  fine 
foliage.      More  than  almost  any  other  species  they  are 
attractive  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  though  they  cannot 
always  be  seen  at  their  best  during  the  colder  months  be- 
cause of  the  partial  protection  afforded  them,  and  supposed 
to  be  necessary,  against  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold. 

But,  though  every  one  admires  the  rhododendrons, 
very  few,  comparatively,  proceed  to  grow  them.  The 
prevailing  opinion  is  that  these  shrubs  are  not  suited 
to  ordinary  cultivation,  except  within  very  narrow  terri- 
torial limits.  The  failures  have  been  so  many  and  so 
disastrous  that  it  is  thought  to  be  scarcely  worth  while  to 
continue  the  experiments,  unless  it  be  by  experts  and 
under  the  most  favoring  conditions.  And  so,  many  of  the 
common  people  pass  them  by  under  the  impression  that 
though  pre-eminently  good  plants,  they  are  not  for  them 
to  enjoy  in  their  own  gardens  and  at  their  own  homes. 


1 62  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

Still,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  rhododendrons  may  be 
successfully  and  easily  grown  over  a  large  section  of  the 
country.  It  is  true  they  may  require  somewhat  especial 
conditions  and  intelligent  consideration,  but  even  with 
that  they  are  worth  all  they  cost.  To  begin  with,  care 
must  be  taken  in  the  selection  of  species  and  varieties. 
This  is  a  clear  case  where  the  right  plant  must  be  in 
the  right  place.  The  pedigree  of  each  specimen  must 
be  thoroughly  studied  and  understood  before  it  can  be 
determined  whether  it  is  likely  to  possess  the  constitu- 
tional qualities  required  for  the  purposes  to  which  it  is  to 
be  put.  It  may  not  be  necessary  for  each  planter  to  ex- 
tend his  personal  investigations  so  as  to  cover  all  the 
details  in  this  direction,  but  the  least  he  can  do  is  to  make 
sure  that  the  nurseryman  of  whom  he  makes  his  purchase 
is  sufficiently  intelligent  and  sufficiently  honest  to  be  able 
to  present  a  clean  bill  of  health  at  every  point  and  ex- 
tending to  every  particular. 

Very  few  of  the  rhododendrons  in  ordinary  cultivation 
in  this  country  are  to  be  found  growing  wild  in  any  part  of 
the  world.  They  are  crosses,  hybrids,  or  varieties  largely 
fashioned  by  the  hand  of  man,  and  the  experts  who  have 
toiled  long  and  with  intelligent  purpose  have  brought  out 
a  race  of  these  beautiful  plants  such  as  the  world  knew 
little  or  nothing  of  before.  A  brief  account  of  how  this 
has  been  done  may  not  only  be  of  interest  to  the  general 
reader,  but  prove  also  of  practical  value  to  such  as  wish  to 
grow  them  on  their  lawns  or  in  their  gardens.  Let  us, 
then,  first  look  to  the  sources  from  which  our  common 
sorts  have  mostly  sprung,  and  take  a  glimpse  of  the  proc- 


Rhododendron.  163 

esses  of  development  from  the  native  forms  to  those 
which  we  now  so  highly  prize.  Among  the  original 
species  which  have  been  brought  into  reputation,  but  three 
of  the  most  prominent  need  be  named. 

R.  arboreum  is  the  largest  known  species,  and  is  some- 
times called  the  tree  rhododendron  in  allusion  to  its  size 
and  form.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Himalayan  Mountains, 
where  it  reaches  the  height  of  from  twenty-five  to  thirty- 
five  feet,  and  sometimes,  according  to  Nicholson,  acquires 
a  circumference  of  150  feet.  The  flowers  are  described  as 
white,  rose,  and  blood  color,  disposed  in  dense  heads  and 
very  beautiful.  The  foliage  is  equally  bold  and  showy, 
"the  leaves  being  large,  coriaceous,  lanceolate,  acute,  cor- 
date at  base,  or  attenuated  into  a  thick  petiole,  of  a  beau- 
tiful green  above,  below  impressed  with  netted  veins, 
glabrous,  silvery,  or  ferruginous-pubescent."  Attention  is 
called  to  this  species  though  it  is  known  to  be  too  tender 
for  out-of-door  planting  in  this  climate,  except  perhaps,  in 
our  Southern  States,  and  even  then  it  is  not  recommended 
for  ordinary  cultivation. 

Another  of  the  foreign  species  is  R.  ponticiim,  which 
also  proves  one  of  the  most  desirable  members  of  the 
family,  and  which,  though  hardier  than  the  arboreum,  is  yet 
too  tender  for  our  use.  It  is  a  smaller  plant,  growing 
six  to  ten  feet,  with  good  foliage  and  exquisitely  beautiful 
flowers.  This  is  a  native  of  Asia  Minor,  and  while  hardy 
throughout  most  of  continental  Europe,  it  proves  a  prac- 
tical failure  in  American  cultivation,  at  least  as  far  north 
as  New  York.  Though  doing  fairly  well  in  England,  the 
extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  and  more  especially  of  drought 


164  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  moisture,  forbid  its  introduction,  together  with  most 
of  its  varieties,  for  our  ordinary  garden  use.  Just  here 
comes  in  one  of  the  secrets  of  the  failure  of  rhododendron 
planting  in  America,  so  far  as  it  is  a  failure  among  the 
common  people.  To  make  sure  of  the  splendid  colors  of 
the  two  species,  nearly  all  the  experiments  in  hybridizing 
and  crossing  have  been  with  these  comparatively  tender 
plants  for  the  foundation.  As  the  ponticum  proves  hardy 
on  the  continent,  it  was  very  natural  that  the  nurserymen 
of  France,  Belgium,  and  Holland,  the  great  feeders  of  the 
civilized  world  in  the  line  of  nursery  stock,  should  cling  to 
the  notion  that,  being  found  hardy  at  home,  it  must  be 
strong  and  vigorous  enough  for  other  countries  lying 
within  the  same  range  of  latitude  and  supposedly  subject 
to  similar  climatic  conditions.  And  so  they  have  continued 
sending  us  their  wares,  and  too  many  of  our  nurserymen 
have  continued  the  purchase  and  distribution  of  the  French 
and  Dutch  plants,  budded  on  ponticum  roots,  by  the  hun- 
dred thousand  a  year.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  no 
rhododendrons  on  such  roots  should  be  accepted  as 
thoroughly  reliable  in  our  northern  American  climate. 
They  may  appear  to  be  all  right  for  a  few  years,  starting 
out  well,  but  with  rare  exceptions  they  are  certain  to  fail 
of  the  highest  perfection  unless  especially  protected  and 
pampered.  The  rhododendron  is  naturally  a  long-lived 
plant,  specimens  having  been  found  in  its  native  habitat 
more  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  old,  and  still  vigorous. 
R.  catawbiense  is  an  American  species,  and  grows  freely 
on  many  of  our  hillsides  and  mountains  without  the  slight- 
est protection  or  care  from  the  hand  of  man.  It  is  far 


Rhododendron. 


165 


from  being  one  of  the  best  and  most  showy  species,  but  is 
known  to  be  entirely  hardy  and  especially  adapted  to  our 
soil  and  climate.  It  has,  therefore,  an  important  mission  to 
perform  in  becoming  the  foundation  of  the  many  new  crea- 
tions which  to  us  constitute  the  glory  of  the  rhododendron 
family,  and  as  such  should  carry  the  numerous  varieties 
and  hybrids,  which,  en- 
riched by  the  blood  of 
the  arbor eum  and  pon- 
ticum,  constitute  the 
rich  fields  from  which 
our  selections  are  to 
be  made.  In  England 
the  best  growers  use 
only  the  catawbiense 
for  budding  or  grafting 
stocks  for  the  Ameri- 
can market,  and  their 
plants  on  catawbiense 
roots  are  confessedly  the  best  of  all  the  importations  that 
come  to  us.  There  is  no  good  reason  why  we  should  not 
grow  for  ourselves  all  the  rhododendrons  we  need,  but 
thus  far  the  home  production  is  exceedingly  limited.  R. 
maximum  is  another  hardy  sort,  thriving  as  far  north  as 
New  England,  which  can  also  be  used  as  stocks  with  equal 
safety,  and  there  are  perhaps  still  others. 

The  rhododendron  should  not  only  be  well  fortified  in 
its  essential  qualities,  so  far  as  the  constitution  of  the  plant 
itself  is  concerned,  but  its  demands  must  be  recognized 
for  peculiar  situations  and  to  some  extent  especial  care. 


HYBRID  RHODODENDRON. 


1 66  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

There  are  some  soils  in  which  it  positively  refuses  to 
grow.  It  has  no  affinity  for  chalk  and  lime,  at  least  none 
sufficient  to  reconcile  it  to  friendly  relations.  Neither  is 
clay  found  to  be  favorite  feeding  ground,  though,  unlike 
the  chalk  and  lime  soils,  the  difficulty  may  be  overcome, 
by  digging  wide  and  deep,  and  thus  creating  practically 
new  conditions  by  filling  in  with  suitable  plaint  food.  A 
rhododendron  bed  may  be  thus  successfully  maintained  in 
the  clay  soils,  while  it  cannoj^be  done  in  situations  saturated 
with  lime  water,  as  in  the  course  of  time  the  offensive 
matter  will  percolate  the  new  soil  as  thoroughly  as  it  does 
the  old  ;  and  then,  however  hopefully  begun,  all  prosperity 
is  at  an  end.  It  may  be  put  down  as  an  established  fact 
that  there  are  some  localities  where  this  charming  plant 
cannot  be  successfully  employed  in  garden  or  landscape 
work,  though  the  nurserymen  often  say  there  is  not.  But 
in  most  fairly  good  soils  it  is  as  easy  to  make  the  rhodo- 
dendron grow  as  it  is  other  choice  shrubs  which  are 
planted  in  profusion  and  almost  everywhere  found  to 
thrive. 

Starting  out  with  vigorous  stock,  the  rhododendrons,  to 
prosper,  must  be  well  planted,  especially  if  the  best  results 
are  desired.  They  are  not  so  particular,  however,  as  many 
suppose,  for  they  will  sometimes  become  vigorous  and 
showy  shrubs  and  even  small  trees,  though  treated  with 
entire  neglect  and  left  to  themselves  among  the  grasses 
and  weeds.  But  to. make  sure  of  success  it  is  well  to  give 
the  best  care  and  make  the  best  provision  for  them  that 
is  possible,  as  in  the  case  of  all  other  choice  species. 
Any  good  garden  soil,  with  the  exception  already  indicated, 


Rhododendron.  167 

will  answer  the  purpose.  The  rhododendron  makes  a 
multitude  of  fine,  almost  hairy,  roots,  such  as  do  not 
rapidly  penetrate  far  into  the  ground,  and  so  the  soil 
should  be  lighta  nd  somewhat  porous,  and  in  preparing 
for  planting  there  should  be  an  excavation  two  and  a  half 
or  three  feet  deep,  at  least,  and  as  many  broad,  for  each 
plant.  This  should  be  filled  with  chopped  turf  or  rich 
compost,  and,  if  the  soil  is  especially  hard  or  heavy,  a 
mixture  of  peat  and  sand.  The  best  plants  I  ever  saw 
were  put  into  the  ground  in  this  way,  with  nothing  else 
than  common  garden  and  turf  substances.  Something 
depends  on  the  situation  chosen  as  well  as  on  the  method 
of  the  planting.  The  rhododendron  is,  in  a  measure,  a 
shade-loving  plant,  and  this  fact  should  be  recognized 
when  fixing  upon  the  location,  whether  for  a  group  or 
a  single  specimen.  Sunshine  in  the  morning  and  at  even- 
ing, and  perhaps  with  rays  darting  through  the  tree-tops, 
at  midday,  constitutes  an  ideal  situation.  So  far  as  prac- 
ticable, protection  from  the  prevailing  winds,  either  by 
buildings  or  neighboring  trees,  should  be  afforded,  and 
with  these  simple  counsels  any  one  can  plant  and  easily 
maintain  a  bed  of  rhododendrons.  Once  established,  the 
really  hardy  varieties  need  little  or  no  protection  from 
cold,  even  where  the  thermometer  occasionally  registers 
several  degrees  below  zero.  They  may  be  partially  cov- 
ered with  branches  of  evergreens  in  winter,  but  the  ad- 
vantage of  this  is  in  prevention  of  sun-scald  more  than  for 
protection  from  frost  or  snow.  Far  more  rhododendrons 
are  killed  by  too  much  sunshine  than  too  much  cold,  though 
by  the  ordinary  grower  this  fact  is  scarcely  ever  appre- 


1 68 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


elated.  They  are  all  moisture-loving  plants  and  often 
suffer  in  seasons  of  drought,  and,  though  not  always  show- 
ing it  at  the  time,  become  so  weakened  that  they  cannot 
endure  their  winter  hardships.  In  such  cases  the  real 
difficulty  is  not  even  suspected  by  most  growers.  In  dry 
seasons,  or  in  long  absence  of  rain,  water  should  be 
applied  freely  and  copiously. 

R.  maximum,  known  also  as  the  great  laurel,  is  a 
valuable  plant  for  ordinary  cultivation.  It  is  indigenous 
as  far  north  as  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  and  often 


RHODODENDRON  MAXIMUM. 


grows  to  a  height  of  twenty  or  more  feet.  It  is  a  profuse 
bloomer,  and  has  the  advantage  of  putting  forth  its  flowers 
in  July  after  the  blooming  season  of  this  class  of  plants  is 


Rhododendron.  1 69 

otherwise  over.  The  flowers  are  pale  rose  or  pink  varying 
to  white  with  many  inter-mixtures  of  shades,  but  always 
attractive.  As  a  single  specimen  and  in  tree  form,  few 
shrubs  surpass  it  in  interest,  and  it  is  worthy  of  much 
more  general  cultivation.  ^?.  punctatum  rises  but  five  or 
six  feet,  has  its  blossoms  in  dense  corymbs,  rose-colored, 
somewhat  funnel-shaped,  and  spotted  within.  These  ap- 
pear in  May  or  June.  Like  the  leaves  of  the  plant  itself, 
they  are  borne  on  pedicils  covered  with  viscid  globules 
which  are  unpleasant  to  the  touch.  The  shrub  affects 
lofty  altitudes,  and  it  is  seldom  found  except  among  and 
high  up  on  the  mountains. 

As  there  are  more  than  a  hundred  species  and  innu- 
merable hybrids  and  varieties  of  rhododendrons  known  in 
horticulture,  it  is  impracticable  to  attempt  an  enumeration 
of  their  names,  much  less  of  their  varying  qualities.  They 
can  only  be  discussed  on  general  principles  and  in  groups 
and  classes,  leaving  details  to  the  judgment  and  taste  of 
those  especially  interested.  There  are  but  three  American 
species  which  may  be  considered  of  value  in  this  con- 
nection,— the  catawbiense^  the  maximum,  and  the  punc- 
tatum, to  each  of  which  reference  has  been  made.  The 
first  -  named  is  found  growing  freely  on  the  Carolina 
mountains  and  contiguous  localities.  It  is  usually  from 
three  to  six  feet  high  with  an  irregular,  spreading  head, 
and  oval  or  oblong  leaves  rounded  at  both  ends.  The 

o 

flowers  are  lilac-purple,  appearing  in  July,  and  not  es- 
pecially beautiful.  The  hardiness  and  adaptability  to 
adverse  situations  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  plant  is 
sometimes  found  in  moist  woods  and  leaf-mould,  and  some- 


170  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

times  springing  from  the  seams  of  rocky  ledges  fully  ex- 
posed to  the  scorching  rays  of  the  southern  sun,  and  in 
neither  case  suffering  harm.  As  already  indicated  it  is 
this  quality  of  endurance  that  gives  the  plant  its  chief 
value  as  affording  a  substantial  basis  for  the  more  tender 
and  more  showy  sorts. 

The  following  named  sorts  are  reported  reliably  hardy 
in  New  England  when  grown  on  catawbiense  roots,  and 
may  be  planted  with  full  assurance  of  success :  Album 
grandiflorum,  which  has  been  longer  known  than  almost 
any  other  sort  as  competent  to  withstand  our  severest 
winters  without  protection,  is  still  one  of  the  very  best, 
producing  large  trusses  of  pink  flowers,  later  on  changing 
to  white  ;  Charles  Bagley,  flowers,  cherry-red  ;  Lady  Grey 
Egerton,  silvery-blush  with  grayish-brown  spots  ;  Lady 
Crosley,  pink-salmon  ;  Charles  Dickens,  red,  and  one  of 
the  best  of  that  color  ;  Lady  Armstrong,  noted  for  its 
foliage  as  well  as  blossoms ;  Kettledrum,  rose-colored ; 
Sefton,  deep  maroon  ;  Alexander  Dancer,  beautiful  red  ; 
Old  Port,  plum-color ;  John  Waterer,  dark  crimson  ;  deli- 
catessimum,  blush  changing  to  white,  one  of  the  very  best, 
being  a  late  bloomer ;  Mrs.  Miller,  rich  crimson  ;  everes- 
tianum,  rosy-lilac,  and  reliable  everywhere ;  Abraham 
Lincoln,  fine  rosy-crimson  ;  General  Grant,  rosy-scarlet ; 
roseum  elegans,  fine  rose  ;  giganteum,  crimson-rose,  very 
large  ;  Minnie,  white  with  saffron  or  yellow  centre  ;  pur- 
pureum,  in  several  varieties,  all  purple. 

To  the  above,  Mr.  H.  H.  Hunnewell,  whose  gardens 
at  Wellesley,  Mass.,  are  famous  for  their  rhododendrons, 
and  who  has  experimented  on  a  large  scale,  writes  to  me 


Corylus — Hazelnut  Tree.  171 

that  he  has  found  the  additional  newer  varieties  entirely 
hardy  in  that  locality :  C.  S.  Sargent,  F.  L.  Olmstead,  F. 
L.  Ames,  Mrs.  C.  S.  Sargent,  Mrs.  R.  G.  Shaw,  Mrs. 
N.  S.  Hunnewell,  Mrs.  Arthur  Hunnewell,  Mrs.  Charles 
Thorald,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Lade,  Mrs.  Simpson,  Lady  Grey 
Egerton,  Countess  Normantown,  Princess  Mary  of  Cam- 
bridge, maximum  wellesianum  ;  and  that  several  others 
give  promise  of  becoming  valuable  acquisitions,  but  need 
further  testing.  For  the  practical  grower  these  are  not 
named  as  superior  to  many  other  sorts,  but  as  merely  in- 
dicating the  wide  range  from  which  selections  may  be 
made. 

CORYLUS— Hazelnut  Tree. 

IN  the  public  mind  both  the  corylus  and  the  hamamelis, 
in  their  several  species  and  varieties,  are  classed  as 
witch-hazels,  and  spoken  of  accordingly.  But, 
though  having  some  things  in  common,  botanically  con- 
sidered they  are  wide  apart,  and  should  not  bear  the  same 
name.  Like  Hamamelis  virginica,  the  American  hazel- 
nut,  Corylus  americana,  is  a  native  of  the  western  conti- 
nent, and  a  shrub  of  value  for  planting  in  masses  for 
screens  along  water-courses  or  in  other  moist  localities. 
The  common  species  constitutes  a  familiar  object  through- 
out a  large  portion  of  the  country,  especially  in  the  North- 
ern States.  It  is  sometimes  planted  for  its  fruit,  but  not 
often,  though  it  might  possibly  serve  a  good  purpose  in 
that  line.  The  European  hazelnut  is  scarcely  an  improve- 
ment on  the  native  plant,  except  that  it  it  has  given  us  two 
varieties,  each  of  which  has  a  distinct  value.  One  of  these 


172  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

has  cut-leaved  foliage  of  a  somewhat  peculiar  character, 
and  can  be  used  to  advantage  in  the  shrubbery  or  border. 
The  other,  C.  purpurea,  or  purple-leaved  hazel,  is  very 
ornamental,  and  worthy  of  a  place  in  almost  any  collection. 
Early  in  the  spring  the  opening  buds  expand  into  large, 
finely  formed  leaves  that  are  almost  black — nearly  if  not 
quite  the  darkest  shade  known  in  vegetation.  The  effect 
is  then  exceedingly  striking,  as  the  contrast  with  surround- 
ing objects  is  very  marked.  A  little  later  on  the  color 
changes  to  a  lighter  hue,  becoming  a  dull  purple,  and  thus 
continuing  most  of  the  season.  The  coloring  is  much  the 
same  as  that  of  the  darkest  purple  beech,  which  entitles  it 
to  a  position  among  shrubs  such  as  that  tree  has  secured 
in  the  great  family  of  larger  growths.  It  holds  its  color 
much  longer  than  does  the  beech.  The  shrub  grows  from 
four  to  six  feet,  and  thrives  in  dry  as  well  as  in  moist 
soils. 

SASSAFRAS. 

THE  sassafras  is  a  native  of  the  eastern  portions  of 
the  United  States,  ranging  from  Canada  to  Florida, 
and  adapting  itself  to  these  extremes  of  heat  and 
cold.  It  constitutes  a  genus  of  the  order  Laitracecz,  with  but 
a  single  species  and  few  or  no  marked  varieties.  The  name, 
as  given  by  Linnaeus,  and  adopted  by  about  every  author- 
ity since  his  time,  is  Laurus  sassafras,  but  modern  bota- 
nists now  propose  to  call  it  Sassafras  sassafras,  which  leads 
Dr.  E.  S.  Bartin,  in  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  to 
say  that  this  is  "  doubtless  applied  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  new  rules  for  botanical  nomenclature  ;  but  whose 


Sassafras. 


unpleasant  effect  upon  the  ear  could  not  be  well  endured, 
except  in  the  hope  that  sometime  between  now  and  the 
millennium  our  botanical  nomenclature  will  acquire  some- 
thing like  a  stable 
equilibrium."  The 
tree  never  grows  to 
a  large  size,  though 
sometimes  rising  to 
a  height  of  forty  to 
fifty  feet,  and  that, 
too,  when  the  trunk 
is  scarcely  more  than 
one  or  two  feet  in  di- 
ameter. In  the  ex- 
treme North  it  is  little 
more  than  a  tall  slen- 
der shrub.  The  bark 
of  the  trunk  is  some- 
what gray  in  color, 
and  deeply  furrowed, 
but  on  the  young 
branches  the  covering  is  usually  green  tinged  with  red. 
It  is  impossible  to  give  a  description  of  its  leaf  that  will 
fit  all  cases  or  even  apply  wholly  to  a  certain  tree,  for  the 
sassafras  has  the  peculiarity  of  bearing  leaves  that  do  not 
resemble  each  other.  They  are  usually  about  four  inches 
long,  petioled  and  alternate.  Some  of  them  on  the  same 
stem  are  oval  and  entire  ;  some  have  a  rather  small  lobe 
on  each  side  ;  others  are  lobed  on  one  side  and  not  on  the 
opposite,  and  still  others  appear  with  three  lobes.  The 


SASSAFRAS  OFFICINALE. 


174  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

flower  is  yellow,  not  very  conspicuous,  and  appears  in  ad- 
vance of  the  leaves. 

The  sassafras  was  one  of  the  first  of  American  trees  to 
attract  the  attention  of  Europeans.  It  was  carried  to  the 
Old  World  as  early  as  1540,  and  in  1549  a  treatise  was 
published  by  Gerard,  who  called  it  the  ague  tree,  and 
pronounced  a  decoction  of  its  bark  a  cure  for  many 
diseases.  For  a  long  time  its  real  or  supposed  medicinal 
virtues  gave  it  a  high  place  among  the  physicians,  and  its 
merits  are  still  recognized.  Its  virtues  in  this  direction 
are  said  to  come  largely  from  the  inner  bark,  both  of  the 
trunk  and  roots,  which  is  of  a  dark  reddish  color  not  alto- 
gether unlike  the  celebrated  Peruvian  bark.  The  flowers 
and  twigs  are  also  in  use,  and  the  wood  is  sold  in  chips  for 
medicinal  purposes.  Few  trees  or  plants  have  held  their 
reputation  so  long  and  through  so  many  vicissitudes  as 
this.  A  large  number  of  supposed  species  or  varieties  are 
found  in  a  fossil  condition, — that  is  to  say,  the  leaves  of 
such  trees  are  found,  and  it  has  been  supposed  they  be- 
longed to  different  species,  from  the  fact  of  their  varying 
in  character, — but  as  our  present  species  of  sassafras  has 
numerous  forms,  even  on  a  small  tree,  it  does  not  follow 
that  these  ancient  geological  specimens  are  of  extinct 
sorts. 

LAGERSTRGEMIA— Crape  Myrtle. 

THIS  constitutes  a  small  genus  of  the  order  Lythracecz, 
consisting  of    about  a  dozen   species,   all  natives 
of  Asia,  and  but  little  known  in  cultivation.      They 
are  mostly  greenhouse  plants,  two  or  three  only  being  suf- 


Lagerstroemia — Crape  Myrtle. 

ficiently  hardy  to  endure  the  climate  of  any  portion  of  the 
United  States.  Of  these  L.  indica  is  best  known  and 
most  highly  appreciated.  It  grows  from  six  to  ten  feet, 
and  has  somewhat  oval  leaves,  acute  and  glabrous.  The 
blossoms  are  large  and  very  beautiful,  produced  in  pani- 
cles, are  bright  pink  with  the  petals  curled,  and  on  long 


LAGERSTRCEMIA. 


claws.  They  appear  in  midsummer,  and  the  effect  is 
very  striking.  The  shrub  is  found  to  be  sufficiently  hardy 
to  thrive  in  the  Middle  States  in  protected  situations,  and 
is  quite  at  home  farther  south.  There  it  proves  a  most 
desirable  acquisition,  and  is  fast  coming  to  be  appreciated. 
It  is  popularly  known  as  the  crape  myrtle,  a  name  sug- 
gested by  a  peculiarity  of  the  flowers.  There  is  a  variety 
with  white  blossoms,  making  an  agreeable  contrast  when 


176  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  two  are  planted  in  conjunction.  Another  species, 
L.  flos-regince,  commonly  called  queen's  flower,  is  equally 
suited  to  garden  cultivation,  and  is  perhaps  even  more 
interesting.  The  flowers  are  from  two  to  three  inches 
in  diameter,  of  a  beautiful  rose-color  in  the  morning, 
changing  gradually  to  purple  at  night.  The  shrub  is  a 
native  of  China. 

AMELANCHIER. 

THE  amelanchiers  are  well  known  shrubs  or  small 
trees  to  which  more  attention  should  be  given 
in  ornamental  planting  than  they  have  yet  re- 
ceived. They  belong  to  the  order  Rosacecz,  and  are  widely 
distributed,  though  until  quite  recently  supposed  to  be 
almost  exclusively  natives  of  North  America.  With  the 
opening  up  of  Japan  several  new  species  were  discovered, 
some  of  which  prove  to  be  of  value,  being  largely  planted 
in  Europe,  and  to  some  extent  in  the  United  States  in 
competition  with  those  which  are  natives  of  the  soil. 
There  is  some  confusion  among  the  botanists  as  to  classi- 
fication and  names,  but  the  questions  raised  are  compara- 
tively of  small  importance  to  practical  horticulturists, 
however  entertaining  and  interesting  to  the  experts. 
The  nomenclature  in  use  by  Nicholson,  Torrey,  and  Gray 
will  be  followed. 

A.  canadensis  is  more  common  both  in  our  forests 
and  gardens  than  any  other  species.  Loudon  found  it  in 
abundance  in  the  American  woods  during  his  early  bo- 
tanical tours,  and  first  brought  it  to  the  attention  of  the 
general  public,  describing  it  as  follows  :  "  A  very  orna- 


Amelanchier.  177 

mental  tree,  from  its  profusion  of  blossoms  early  in 
April,  and  from  its  rich  autumnal  foliage  ;  and  even  the 
fruit  is  not  altogether  to  be  despised,  either  eaten  by 
itself  or  in  tarts,  pies,  and  puddings.  The  wood  is  white, 
and  it  exhibits  no  difference  between  the  heart  and  sap. 
It  is  longitudinally  traversed  by  small,  bright  red  vessels, 
which  intersect  each  other  and  run  together — a  physio- 
logical peculiarity  which,  Micheaux  observes,  occurs  also 
in  the  red  birch."  As  might  be  expected  of  a  shrub  or 
tree  whose  habitat  extends  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  the 
Gulf  States,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  and  possibly  even  beyond,  it  is  per- 
fectly hardy  and  full  of  vigor.  It  is  sometimes  of  bushy 
form,  but  more  frequently  appears  as  a  small  tree  rising 
from  fifteen  to  thirty  feet.  Its  pure- white  flowers  are  dis- 
posed in  short  racemes,  and  so  numerous  are  they  that 
the  foliage. and  branches  are  almost  hidden  from  sight.  In 
autumn  it  is  almost  equally  beautiful,  its  foliage  taking 
on  bright  golden-yellow  tints,  thus  closing  as  well  as 
opening  the  season  with  a  show  of  beauty.  The  fruit, 
popularly  known  as  the  June  berry,  service  berry,  and 
shad  berry,  is  about  the  size  of  a  currant,  of  purple 
color,  and  agreeable  to  the  taste,  so  that  where  the  trees 
are  abundant  it  is  often  gathered  as  an  article  of  food. 
It  matures  in  June  or  early  July.  The  tree  blossoms  and 
produces  fruit  while  quite  young,  and  it  is  no  uncommon 
thing  for  a  specimen  of  but  three  or  four  feet  to  be  heavily 
laden,  thus  affording  quick  returns  to  the  planter.  A. 
botryapium  is  given  by  Gray  as  a  synonym,  and  by  others 
as  the  name  of  a  variety. 


178  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

A.  alnifolia  is  a  Western  species  or  variety  of  much 
smaller  proportions,  being  a  veritable  dwarf  though  pos- 
sessing all  the  good  qualities  imputed  to  the  larger  plant. 
It  is  of  especial  value  where  a  smaller  form  is  desired 
through  limitations  of  space  or  adaptation  to  surrounding 
objects.  In  some  locations  it  is  grown  especially  for  its 
fruit,  which  is  esteemed  above  that  of  the  currant,  while 
the  bush  is  much  more  ornamental,  and  occupies  no  more 
space.  It  has  sometimes  been  put  on  the  market  as  a 
blueberry,  but  is  of  quite  another  family.  It  has  the 
advantage  of  producing  both  blossoms  and  fruit  when  not 
more  than  two  or  three  feet  high.  The  flowers  appear 
later  than  those  of  the  larger  sort,  and  so  help  to 
lengthen  the  season.  A.  rotundifolia  is  much  the  same 
except  that  the  bush  grows  some  two  feet  taller,  and 
there  are  several  others  offered  in  the  market  with  differ- 
ences so  slight  as  to  call  for  no  further  description. 

A.  japonica  is  a  recent  introduction  to  American  gar- 
dens, and  appears  to  be  worthy  of  notice.  It,  too,  has 
early  blossoms  in  great  abundance,  not  differing  materially 
from  those  already  described.  Its  fruit  is  bright  scarlet, 
and  proves  very  showy,  and  hangs  on  a  long  time,  often 
after  the  leaves  have  fallen.  It  is  a  strong  grower  and  highly 
ornamental  in  its  foliage  as  well  as  in  its  fruit  and  blossom. 

DAPHNE. 

THE  daphnes  constitute  a  very  interesting  genus  of 
the  order  Thymel&acece,  the  several  species  of  which 
are  widely  distributed  throughout  the  south  tem- 
perate zone,  and  in  smaller  numbers  in  the  southern  hemi- 


Daphne.  1 79 

sphere.  It  is  said  that  there  are  some  forty  species  and 
varieties  of  which  note  has  been  taken  by  botanists  and 
horticulturists.  They  are  all  small  shrubs,  though  in  some 
cases  in  tree  form,  and  present  numerous  attractions. 
Some  are  evergreen  and  others  are  deciduous.  In  culti- 
vation a  few  are  known  only  as  greenhouse  plants,  but 
the  great  majority  are  counted  hardy  and  suitable  for 
garden  and  park  planting. 

D.  mezereum  is  one  of  the  very  best  of  early  spring 
bloomers,  and  merits  much  more  attention  than  it  has  yet 
received  from  horticulturists  and  planters  in  this  country. 
The  plant  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  it  is  claimed  will  grow 
up  to  the  very  borders  of  the  Arctic  regions.  Whether  it 
will  endure  such  an  extreme  test  or  not,  it  is  certain  that 
it  can  be  used  freely  in  all  portions  of  the  United  States 
short  of  Alaska,  and  is  also  available  in  the  South  to  the 
borders  of  the  Gulf.  It  has  been  in  use  in  English  gardens 
for  more  than  three  hundred  years,  and  has  held  its  own 
against  all  newcomers  for  that  long  period.  It  is  a  low- 
growing  plant,  seldom  rising  more  than  two  feet,  but  is  of 
a  somewhat  spreading  habit  and  so  covering  considerable 
space.  The  flowers  are  pink,  very  abundant  and  very 
fragrant,  appearing  at  the  first  breath  of  spring  and  often 
before  the  snow  has  fully  gone.  When  these  are  over, 
the  little  bush  is  almost  equally  attractive  from  the  presence 
and  character  of  its  fruit.  In  June  the  branches  are 
crowded  with  large,  bright  red  berries,  affording  a  marked 
contrast  to  the  dark  green  leaves.  Coming  thus  when  so 
few  plants  are  in  blossom,  and  continuing  so  long  in  fruit, 
the  wonder  is  that  it  is  not  better  known  and  more  largely 


i8o  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

planted  in  ordinary  gardens.  It  is  not  easily  propagated 
in  the  nursery,  and  so  costs  slightly  more  than  some 
larger  sorts,  and  this  may  account  for  a  portion  of  the 
comparative  neglect.  But,  as  already  stated,  when  estab- 
lished in  the  border  or  planted  in  groups  it  is  equal  to  the 
best,  and  will  withstand  almost  any  exposure.  And  it  is 
not  a  small  thing  in  its  favor  that  it  blossoms  every  year, 
and  is  not  very  particular  as  to  soil  or  surroundings. 

D.  cneorum. — In  this  we  have  another  small  shrub  of 
which  it  is  difficult  to  say  too  much.  It  is  popularly  known 
as  the  garland  flower,  has  evergreen  foliage,  and  blooms 
during  May  in  New  England  and  the  North,  and  much 
earlier  in  warmer  climes.  The  flowers  are  of  a  rich 
lilac  shade,  and  profuse  in  their  abundance.  During  the 
summer  they  appear  from  time  to  time,  and  in  autumn 
often  break  forth  anew  and  cover  for  the  second  time  the 
whole  bush.  A  writer  in  the  London  Garden  speaks  of  a 
full  crop  of  flowers  as  late  as  December,  and  Garden  and 
Forest  says  that  plants  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  York 
were  blooming  on  the  twelfth  of  the  same  month,  opening 
their  flowers  perfectly  and  giving  forth  a  fragrance  which 
seemed  even  richer  than  that  of  the  spring  bloom.  This 
plant  is  especially  recommended  for  rockwork,  for  borders 
of  shrubberies,  and  for  planting  in  groups  where  masses  of 
color  are  desired. 

D.  genkwa  is  a  deciduous  shrub  growing  two  to  three 
feet  in  height,  with  numerous  twiggy  branches  clothed 
with  a  soft  down.  Like  all  the  daphnes,  it  blossoms  in 
early  spring,  producing  violet-colored  flowers  the  whole 
length  of  the  otherwise  naked  branches.  They  continue 


Viburnum.  181 

two  or  three  weeks,  and  are  quite  fragrant  though  not 
especially  beautiful.  Some  of  the  varieties  are  superior 
to  the  type,  having  larger  flowers  and  of  a  richer  shade  of 
dark  purple,  while  one,  not  yet  known  to  cultivation,  has 
been  discovered  with  white  flowers.  Though  not  the  best 
of  the  family,  the  species  is  worthy  of  cultivation,  and  in 
some  situations  proves  of  special  value. 

D.  laureola. — This  takes  its  popular  name  of  spurge- 
laurel  from  its  foliage  ;  the  leaves  are  green,  oblong,  and 
remain  through  the  entire  winter.  It  is  a  low  plant — 
even  smaller  than  cneorum,  and  less  beautiful  in  flower,  as 
the  blossoms  are  of  a  greenish  cast  and  without  fragrance. 
But  it  is  a  good  foliage  plant,  and  has  the  quality  of 
growing  in  the  shade,  and  especially  under  trees,  better 
than  most  other  sorts.  For  such  situations  it  serves  a 
good  purpose,  and  may  be  used  to  advantage  as  one  of 
the  best  under-shrubs. 

VIBURNUM. 

THE  viburnums  constitute  a  genus  of  small  trees  or 
shrubs  of  the  natural  order  Caprifoliacece,  repre- 
senting about  eighty  species,  mostly  distributed 
throughout  the  north  temperate  zone,  though  a  few  speci- 
mens are  also  found  in  the  West  Indies  and  Madagascar. 
Much  the  greater  number  are  indigenous  to  America. 
They  usually  have  opposite  branches,  with  undivided, 
lobed  leaves,  white,  terminal,  tubular  flowers,  and  seed-like 
berries.  They  prefer  moist  places,  but  grow  well  in  partial 
shade  in  any  good  soil,  though  preferring  a  peaty  substance 
to  sand  or  gravel.  The  more  valuable  are  the  following  : 


1 82  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

The  English  wayfaring  tree,  or  hobble-bush,  V.  lan- 
tana,  known  also  as  the  rowan  tree,  is  a  shrub  ten  to 
twenty  feet  high,  with  small  white  flowers,  in  large,  flat 
cymes,  appearing  in  May  or  June.  The  fruit,  which  re- 
mains long  on  the  stem,  is  a  bluish-black  berry,  somewhat 
flattened  and  quite  sweet  to  the  taste.  The  leaves  are 
two  to  four  inches  in  length,  rough  or  crinkled  in  appear- 
ance, downy,  and  often  with  hairs  on  the  under  side.  The 
inner  bark  is  acrid,  and  both  it  and  the  fruit  have  been 
much  used  in  medicine.  It  is  indigenous  to  countries  as 
far  north  as  Scotland  and  Siberia,  and  widely  distributed. 
The  rowan  tree  was  long  supposed  to  be  a  protection 
against  witches,  and  in  times  when  men  put  faith  in  gob- 
lins and  spirits  intent  on  mischief  its  efficacy  was  seldom 
doubted  ;  for  that  reason  it  was  planted  in  close  proximity 
to  dwellings  and  stables. 

The  American  species,  V.  lantanoides,  differs  somewhat 
from  the  above,  as  it  appears  less  in  tree  form  and  more 
as  a  low,  bushy  shrub.  It  grows  wild  in  dark,  moist, 
rocky  woods  as  far  north  as  New  Brunswick,  and  thence 
south  through  portions  of  New  England  to  the  mountains 
of  North  Carolina ;  and  often  makes  a  beautiful  show  of 
flowers  in  unfrequented  and  desolate  places.  The  leaves 
are  from  four  to  six  inches  across,  shaped  much  like  the 
English  variety,  smooth  above  but  downy  along  the 
veins.  The  flowers  are  in  broad  heads  of  white,  and  are 
followed  by  crimson  fruit,  afterward  turning  black.  Breck 
says:  "The  first  time  we  beheld  the  crooked,  straggling 
shrub  in  flower  in  its  native  haunts,  a  dark  swamp,  we 
thought  it  one  of  the  most  ornamental  shrubs  in  the 


Viburnum. 


183 


country.  It  is  certainly  worthy  a  place  in  every  collec- 
tion." There  is  a  variety  of  considerable  value,  with  the 
same  general  features,  but  having  variegated  leaves  white 
and  yellow. 

The  sweet  viburnum,  or  sheep  berry,  V.  lentago,  grows 
from  fifteen  to  thirty  feet  high,  and  is  valuable  for  or- 
namental purposes. 
The  flowers  are  pro- 
fuse and  showy,  ap- 
pearing  in  June. 
They  are  composed 
of  a  large  number  of 
terminal  cymes,  mak- 
ing a  broad,  white 
head  with  a  slight 
tinge  of  yellow.  The 
fruit  consists  of  rich, 
dark  blue  berries, 
and,  as  they  are  in 
marked  contrast  to 
the  autumn  foliage 
hues,  the  appearance 
is  very  striking.  The  leaves  are  ovate,  pointed,  and  on 
long,  marginal  petioles. 

The  so-called  high  bush  cranberry,  V.  opulus,  grows 
from  five  to  ten  feet,  and  is  a  vigorous  shrub  showy  in 
both  its  flowers  and  its  fruit.  Emerson  says  :  "  In  May 
or  early  in  June  it  spreads  open  at  the  end  of  every  branch 
a  broad  cyme  of  soft,  delicate  flowers,  surrounded  by  an 
irregular  circle  of  snow-white  stars,  scattered,  apparently, 


VIBURNUM  OPULUS. 


1 84  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

for  show.  The  fruit,  which  is  red  when  ripe,  is  of  a 
pleasant,  acid  taste,  resembling  cranberries,  for  which  it 
is  sometimes  substituted."  This  plant  is  beautiful  in 
flower,  in  leaf,  and  in  fruit ;  and  as  the  fruit  remains  well 
into  the  winter,  ever  deepening  in  color,  the  beauty  of  the 
bush  lasts  all  the  year.  It  is  the  parent  of  the  well-known 
snowball  tree,  which  under  cultivation  produces  only 
sterile  flowers.  In  this  form  it  has  long  been  well  known. 
There  is  also  a  variety  with  variegated  foliage,  the  leaves 
marked  with  yellow  and  white.  The  V.  o.  nana  is  the 
dwarf  of  the  family,  for,  though  perfect  in  all  its  forms,  it 
seldom  lifts  its  head  more  than  a  foot  from  the  ground. 

The  naked  viburnum,  or  wythe  rod,  V.  nudtim,  is  also 
a  native  of  America,  and  indigenous  as  far  north  as  New 
England  and  southward  to  Florida,  proving  entirely  hardy 
in  both  sections.  The  flowers  are  yellowish-white,  appear- 
ing in  May  or  June.  They  are  composed  of  small  florets 
in  large,  crowded  heads.  The  fruit  is  nearly  round,  quite 
large,  of  a  deep  blue  color,  ripening  in  September  or 
October.  The  leaves  are  oblong-oval,  with  a  rather  rough 
surface.  It  is  an  interesting  shrub,  but  less  valuable  than 
several  of  the  other  species. 

The  Japan  snowball,  V.  plicatum,  is  one  of  our  later 
acquisitions,  and  is  pronounced  by  good  judges  the  most 
beautiful  and  most  desirable  of  all  the  members  of  the 
family.  It  is  of  moderate  growth  and  compact  habit.  The 
leaves  are  crinkled  or  plicated,  of  a  rich  green  color,  borne 
on  brown  shoots,  while  the  flowers  are  larger  and  more 
solid  than  those  of  the  common  snowball.  They  hang 
long  on  the  bush,  and  are  very  showy.  The  great-clus- 


Viburnum. 


185 


tered  snowball,  V.  macrocephalum,  was  first  found  in 
the  gardens  about  Chusan,  in  China.  It  proves  to  be 
the  equal  of  the  old  American  snowball,  or  guelder 
rose,  in  purity  of  color,  and  far  eclipses  it  in  size  and 
beauty.  Each  blossom  is  more  than  an  inch  across,  and 
the  clusters  made  up  of  these  measure  eight  or  ten  inches 


VIBURNUM  MACROCEPHALUM. 


in  diameter.  It  is  sometimes  advertised  as  a  new  species 
from  Japan,  but,  though  rare,  has  been  planted  here  for 
many  years.  The  tree  grows  to  the  height  of  about 
twenty  feet.  It  is  sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand  the 
winters  of  New  England. 

Arrow-wood,  V.  dentatum,  was  popularly  so  named  be- 
cause the  Indians  used  it  in  the  manufacture  of  their  ar- 
rows for  use  in  hunting  and  in  war.  The  wood  is  heavy, 


1 86  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

exceedingly  hard  and  tough,  and  capable  of  high  polish. 
The  shrub  is  small,  seldom  growing  more  than  five  or  ten 
feet,  with  light-colored  bark,  and  pale  green  leaves  sharply 
dentate.  The  dark  blue  flowers  are  large  and  showy,  fol- 
owed  by  purple  fruit  that  hangs  long  on  the  branches.  It 
is  an  interesting  plant  for  the  garden  or  border,  and, 
though  found  chiefly  in  swamps,  will  grow  on  ordinary 
rich  land  to  perfection.  Downy  arrow-wood,  V.  pubescens, 
is  not  as  interesting  as  are  most  of  the  other  species,  and  is 
scarcely  found  in  our  northern  latitudes,  while  appearing 
in  abundance  in  the  swamps  of  Kentucky  and  farther 
south.  Gray  describes  it  as  a  low,  straggling  shrub,  hav- 
ing ovate  and  taper-pointed  leaves,  with  a  few  coarse  teeth 
and  a  downy  surface.  The  fruit  is  dark  purple,  much  like 
that  of  dentaiiim.  Maple-leaved  arrow-wood,  V.  acerifolium, 
is  a  low,  slender  shrub,  three  to  six  feet,  the  leaves  of 
which  have  a  close  resemblance  to  those  of  the  maple,  be- 
ing three-ribbed  and  three-lobed.  It  is  entirely  hardy,  and 
often  found  growing  in  the  forests  of  New  England.  The 
flowers  are  borne  on  terminal  cymes,  with  slender  stamens, 
and  are  of  a  pale  purple  color  when  first  opening,  the 
corolla  afterward  becoming  pure  white. 

The  dilated  viburnum,  V.  dilatatum,  is  a  native  of 
Japan,  and  grows  to  a  height  of  eight  or  ten  feet.  The 
small  flowers  are  in  cymes  from  two  to  five  inches  across,  and 
very  pretty,  appearing  in  June.  The  best  authorities  pro- 
nounce it  a  valuable  shrub,  though  it  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  largely  planted  as  compared  with  plicatum, 
which  everywhere  now  takes  the  lead.  The  fragrant 
viburnum,  V.  odoratissimiim,  is  a  shrub  from  the  Chinese 


Viburnum. 


187 


mountains,  and  rises  to  a  height  of  ten  feet.  The  flowers 
are  very  sweet-scented.  They  are  in  corymbs,  white  and 
quite  showy  in  May,  being  among  the  first  blossoms  that 
put  out  an  appearance.  It  has  the  reputation  of  not  being 


VIBURNUM  TOMENTOSUM. 

entirely  hardy  except  in  situations  protected  from  high 
winds  and  extreme  cold.  V.  tomentosum  differs  from  the 
plicatum  in  having  more  hairy  foliage  and  less  double 
flowers.  It  is  hardy  and  desirable. 

The    evergreen    viburnum,    V.  tinus,    is   a   native   of 


i88 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


southern    Europe,   and    retains    its    foliage  through    the 
winter.       The  leaves  are   oblong,   entire,  and   sometimes 


VIBURNUM  PRUNIFOLIUM. 

hairy.       The  flowers  are  at  first  rose-tinted,  but  soon  be- 
come pure  white.       They  come  forth  in  late  autumn,  and 


Buxus — Box.  189 

often  at  warm  periods  in  winter  from  December  to  March, 
when  they  never  fail  to  attract  attention.  The  fruit  is  dark 
blue,  resembling  that  of  several  of  the  other  species.  The 
shrub  grows  from  six  to  nine  feet  under  favorable  condi- 
tions. It  is  a  curious  plant,  and  well  worthy  of  attention. 
The  variety  known  as  the  frcebelii  has  lighter-colored 
flowers.  Another  variety,  the  liuidum,  brought  from 
Mount  Atlas,  has  large  glossy  leaves,  and  also  larger 
flowers  than  the  original.  They  appear  in  early  spring. 

The  wrinkled-leaved  viburnum,  V.  rMgos^lm,  is  an  ever- 
green growing  from  four  to  six  feet.  The  flowers  are  not 
especially  attractive,  but  the  peculiarity  of  appearing  in 
winter  creates  an  interest  in  the  plant.  Its  habit  is  much 
the  same  as  that  of  the  times,  but  it  is  not  so  hardy  and 
does  not  hold  its  foliage  so  persistently. 

What  is  known  to  some  as  the  American  black  haw  is 
the  V.  pruni/olium,  named  from  its  prune-shaped  leaves. 
It  becomes  a  large  shrub  or  small  tree,  but  is  less  valuable 
than  many  of  the  other  sorts  named  ;  still  it  is  not  without 
interest. 

BUXUS— Box. 

THE  box  is  a  genus  of  hardy  evergreen  shrubs  or 
small  trees,  of  the  order  Euphorbiacea.     These 
plants  were  largely  in  use  among  the  Greeks  and 
Romans,  and  were  highly  spoken  of  by  some  of  the  most 
noted  writers  of  antiquity.     The  Greek  word  indicating 
the  character  of  the  shrub  signifies  strength,  or  sometimes 
a  cup,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  applied  from  the  use 
of  the  wood,  which  is  especially  fine-grained  and  hard,  and 


190  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

was  largely  used  in  the  manufacture  of  goblets  and  orna- 
ments. All  the  members  of  the  family  are  broad-leaved 
evergreens,  but  not  all  are  sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand 
our  extreme  northern  winters.  They  are  furnished  with 
opposite  leaves,  entire  at  the  margins,  and  possessing  a 
peculiarity  by  which  the  plates  can  be  easily  split.  The 
blossoms  are  numerous  but  inconspicuous,  growing  in 
axillary  clusters,  the  male  and  female  specimens,  though 
distinct,  being  on  the  same  plant.  There  are  but  two 
species  in  ordinary  garden  cultivation. 

B.  sempervirens  is  the  most  widely  distributed,  and  is 
commonly  known  as  the  tree  box,  specimens  of  which  may 
be  seen  in  many  of  our  old  gardens.  It  is  nowhere  in- 
digenous to  America  though  found  in  similar  latitudes 
throughout  England  and  southern  Europe,  and  even  as 
far  east  as  Persia  and  perhaps  China.  At  its  best  it  is 
said  to  rise  in  tree  form  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet,  but,  as 
it  advances  toward  the  colder  regions,  it  gradually  dimin- 
ishes to  three  or  four  feet.  The  leaves  are  small,  oblong- 
oval,  bright  green,  and  somewhat  coriaceous.  The  wood 
is  hard,  close-grained,  and  capable  of  a  very  high  polish, 
the  specific  gravity  being  such  that  it  will  not  float  in 
water.  Though  small,  it  is  a  long-lived  tree,  many  speci- 
mens found  in  the  Eastern  States  being  considerably  more 
than  a  hundred  years  old  and  still  in  good  condition.  The 
species  has  given  off  numerous  varieties,  some  of  which 
as  garden  plants  are  to  be  preferred  to  the  type.  B. 
suffrutico^a,  or  dwarf  box,  has  been  used  for  edgings  to 
paths  and  borders  more  largely  than,  perhaps,  any  other 
plant.  Nearly  all  the  old-fashioned  gardens  in  this  country, 


Buxus — Box.  191 

following  the  custom  of  Europe,  had  their  box  borders, 
so  much  so  that  they  became  somewhat  monotonous,  and 
a  revulsion  came,  resulting  to  a  considerable  degree  in 
their  discontinuance.  But  of  late  the  tide  has  turned,  and 
the  tendency  now  is  in  favor  of  their  restoration.  Another 
departure  is  the  B.  s.  argentea,  or  silver-variegated,  in 
which  the  foliage  is  marked  with  white.  This,  though  a 
larger  and  more  rapidly-growing  plant,  can  be  employed 
to  advantage  for  hedges,  or  used  as  single  specimens  for 
grouping,  and  is  also  capable  of  good  service  as  an  under- 
shrub  in  parks  and  other  large  grounds  where  partially 
shade-loving  growths  are  desired.  The  B.  s.  aurea  and 
the  marginata  have  their  leaves  marked  with  yellow,  and 
may  be  used  in  the  same  way.  Another  variation,  known 
in  the  catalogues  as  elegantissima  variegata,  is  said  to  be 
very  fine.  The  macrophylla  has  larger  leaves,  more  oval  in 
form  than  the  type,  while  in  the  microphylla  they  are  much 
smaller.  Handsworthii  is  distinguished  as  an  upright 
form  with  still  more  oval  leaves  and  as  being  a  vigorous 
grower.  It  has  deep  green  foliage,  and  is  credited  with 
being  especially  hardy,  and  thriving  where  most  of  the 
others  are  liable  to  fail. 

B.  batearica,  known  also  as  the  Minorca  box,  has  larger 
foliage  than  semper vir ens,  and  is  also  a  native  of  western 
Europe  and  Asia.  It  latterly  has  come  to  be  called  by 
some  the  Japanese  box,  though  for  no  good  reason,  as 
Japan  is  only  one  of  the  many  countries  in  which  it  is 
indigenous.  Its  yellowish-green  leaves  are  about  two 
inches  long  and  a  little  more  than  half  as  broad.  It  some- 
times attains  a  height  of  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  with  a  large 


1 92  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

though  compact  head.  As  a  single  specimen  it  is  probably 
the  best  of  the  family,  but,  unfortunately,  it  is  not  quite  so 
hardy  as  sempervirens,  and  in  northern  localities  must  have 
winter  protection,  especially  when  young.  In  the  Middle 
and  Southern  States  it  may  not  need  extra  care.  It,  too, 
has  gold-  and  silver-leaved  varieties,  and  some  of  the  hand- 
somest plants  sent  out  from  the  nurseries  are  of  this  class. 
The  box  is  capable  of  being  grown  in  any  form  desired, 
and  is  entirely  submissive  to  the  knife  or  pruning  shears. 
In  the  days  when  more  formal  gardening  was  in  vogue, 
and  plants  were  cut  and  grown  in  fantastic  shapes,  the  box 
was  one  of  the  favorite  plants  for  use  in  this  direction. 
At  the  present  time  that  absurd  system  is  almost  unknown, 
though  occasionally  an  attempt  is  made  to  copy  from  the 
old  models  as  a  matter  of  curiosity  rather  than  the  desire 
of  restoring  the  stiffness  of  the  straight  lines  and  geometric 
and  sculptural  figures  of  what  is  popularly  called  Italian 
gardening. 

KOELREUTERIA. 

THIS  native  of  China  is  named  for  the  German  pro- 
fessor, Koelreuter.     It  is  of  the  order  Sapindacecz, 
and  is  a  small  tree  of  particularly  picturesque  habit 
of  growth,  which  makes  it  highly  desirable    for   lawn  or 
garden.      On  the  European  continent,  where  the  planting 
of  these  dwarf  trees  is  understood  to  perfection,  they  are 
used  to  an  extent  unthought  of  in  America,  and  are  placed 
where  effect  and,  in  some  cases,  shade  are  desired  without 
interference  with  view  or  a  free  circulation  of  air.      A  bet- 
ter understanding  here  of  the  subject  would  prevent  the 


194  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

disappointment  often  experienced  by  the  owner  of  a  small 
place,  when  he  finds  the  pride  he  has  taken  in  his  trees  to 
be  changing  to  dismay  as  they  rapidly  increase  in  size 
year  after  year,  and  shut  out  desirable  outlooks  and  air, 
till  at  last  they  become  a  nuisance  instead  of  a  joy. 

For  all  purposes  where  a  dwarf  tree  is  needed  K. 
paniculata  can  be  recommended  and  without  reservation. 
It  is  easily  grown  in  common  soil,  and  is  believed  to  suc- 
ceed best  where  the  ground  is  not  very  rich.  It  has 
irregular,  spreading  branches  covered  with  dark  green 
leaves  alternate  and  deeply  toothed.  In  June  and  July,  as 
the  blossoms  of  the  horse-chestnut  fall  and  flowering  trees 
become  rare,  those  of  koelreuteria  appear.  They  are 
mostly  of  a  rich  yellow,  and  are  borne  in  large  panicles  of 
many  flowers  that  stand  out  conspicuously  from  the  green 
foliage.  These  are  followed  by  a  fruit  varying  in  color, 
green,  bronze-red,  and  purple.  The  keeping  quality  of  the 
leaves,  and  the  succeeding  flowers  and  fruit,  make  the  tree 
ornamental  and  interesting  for  an  unusually  long  period. 
The  fact  that  the  young  plants  spring  up  readily  from  the 
seed  that  falls  to  the  ground,  leads  to  the  hope  that  this 
beautiful  little  foreigner  will  some  day  be  familiarly  known 
in  our  gardens. 

RHUS— Sumach. 

THE   genus   rhus    includes  more    than    a   hundred 
species  of  interesting  plants  widely  distributed  over 
both  continents,   though  few  or  none  are   found 
within  the  tropics.     They  are  most  abundant  in  the  United 
States,  China,  Japan,  and  South  Africa,  the  range  on  the 


Rhus — Sumach.  195 

Dark  Continent  extending  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope 
while  on  the  other  hand  it  reaches  to  equally  northern  ex- 
tremes. Many  sorts  are  tender,  while  others  are  compara- 
tively indifferent  to  heat  and  cold,  as  well  as  to  soils  and 
other  horticultural  conditions.  A  few  are  exceedingly 
poisonous,  in  this  respect  rivalling  the  famous  upas  tree, 
but  nearly  all  are  not  only  harmless  but  ornamental. 
These  sumachs,  as  they  are  popularly  called,  are  prized 
for  their  beauty  of  foliage  and  their  peculiar  flowers  and 
fruitage ;  and  when  rightly  handled  they  may  fill  an  im- 
portant niche  in  garden  and  park  planting. 

R.  aromatica — fragrant  sumach — is  a  low -growing 
shrub  with  a  spreading  head,  and  rising  five  to  eight  feet. 
The  leaves  are  slightly  pubescent  in  their  early  stages, 
thickening  with  age,  and  when  crushed  give  out  an  agree- 
able odor.  They  are  compound,  with  three  pairs  of 
leaflets  unequally  cut  and  toothed.  The  flowers  are  pale 
yellow,  in  spikes  closely  clustered,  and  appearing  in  ad- 
vance of  the  foliage  in  April  and  May.  Though  an 
interesting  species,  it  is  not  the  most  showy  of  its  class  in 
either  leaf,  flower,  or  fruit. 

R.  typhina,  or,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  the  staghorn 
sumach,  is  a  much  more  ornamental  shrub,  and  is  also  of 
American  origin,  being  quite  frequently  found  growing  in 
the  borders  of  woods  and  on  dry  and  infertile  hillsides. 
In  fact,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  very  particular  as  to  soils 
and  surrounding  conditions.  The  branches  are  blunt  and 
clumsy-looking,  usually  thickly  covered  with  hairs,  and  al- 
most wholly  lacking  in  symmetry  of  arrangement.  For  this 
reason  the  shrub  is  best  planted  among  other  sorts  such 


196  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

as  may  partially  hide  the  seeming  deformity  and  yet  per- 
mit the  brilliant  scarlet  autumnal  foliage  to  be  seen.  The 
leaflets,  fifteen  to  thirty-one,  are  oblong-lanceolate,  and 
very  few  plants  at  the  season  show  to  better  advantage,  or 
do  more  to  enliven  the  border  and  brighten  the  landscape. 
The  buds  are  also  curious,  as  they  are  deeply  set  in  the 
middle  of  a  large  leaf-scar,  and  protected  by  a  mass  of 
hairs,  almost  cone-shaped,  against  climatic  exposures.  The 
flowers  are  greenish  yellow,  and  collected  in  a  thyrsoid, 
terminal  panicle.  This  is,  to  say  the  least,  an  interesting 
shrub,  and  can  be  used  to  advantage  in  many  positions. 

R.glabra,  or  smooth  sumach,  is  one  of  the  best  known 
species  in  this  country,  being  found  along  the  borders  of 
woods  or  growing  freely  in  dry  and  sterile  situations,  often 
taking  possession  of  entire  fields  and  holding  them  with 
such  tenacity,  through  its  deeply  extending  roots,  as  not 
to  be  easily  dislodged.  It  is  a  low-growing,  spreading 
bush  with  irregular  branches  and  a  rather  unshapely  form, 
but  is,  nevertheless,  of  considerable  horticultural  value. 
The  leaves  are  compound,  often  a  foot  or  more  long,  with 
from  fifteen  to  thirty-one  leaflets  on  a  large  smooth  stalk. 
The  leaflets  are  nearly  or  quite  sessile,  oblong,  and  pointed 
at  the  apex,  though  rounded  at  the  base.  The  blossoms 
are  in  large  and  much-branched  heads  at  the  ends  of  the 
stems,  and  of  from  ten  to  twelve  inches  extension.  They 
are  greenish-yellow  and  slightly  fragrant.  In  the  autumn 
the  foliage  becomes  brilliantly  crimson,  and  the  heads  of 
fruit,  made  up  of  velvety  berries  arranged  in  cones  or 
spikes,  are  among  the  most  showy  productions  of  the  field 
or  forest.  When  growing  in  masses,  especially  if  looked 


Rhus — Sumach. 


197 


upon  from  a  little  distance,  few  plants  are  more  showy. 
The  fruit  remains  longer  than  the  leaves,  and  though 
slightly  changing  its  color  is  still  attractive.  R>g.  lacin- 
iata,  one  of  the  varieties  sometimes  known  as  the  fern- 
leaved  sumach,  is  still  more  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  garden. 
It  is  a  smaller  plant,  from  three  to  five  feet  high, 
and  has  finely 
cut  foliage.  It 
is  best  grown  in 
the  form  of  a  low 
bush  with  sev- 
eral stems  which, 
if  permitted,  will 
spring  from  the 
common  root  in 
the  form  of  suck- 
ers. As  in  au- 
tumn its  feathery 
leaves  take  on 
the  same  crim- 
son hues  as  the 
type,  a  cluster  of  these  long  stems  when  at  the  best,  and 
in  contrast  with  surrounding  objects,  has  almost  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  ball  of  fire.  This  comparatively  new  form 
is  one  of  our  most  valuable  recent  introductions,  and  has 
been  long  enough  before  the  public  to  have  won  a  repu- 
tation accordingly.  R.  copallina  is  a  dwarf  sumach,  with 
running  roots,  and  is  often  scarcely  more  than  a  foot  high. 
It  can  be  made  to  quickly  cover  rocky  and  barren  spaces 
whenever  such  a  result  is  desired. 


RHUS  QLABRA   LACINIATA. 


198  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

R.  cotinus — Smoke  tree,  Venetian  sumach — is  not  only 
the  most  remarkable  member  of  the  family,  but  also  one 
of  the  most  peculiar  and  interesting  of  the  hardy  plants. 
Its  departures  from  the  family  type  led  Nuttall  in  his 
description  of  the  bush  to  name  it  Rhus  cotinoides,  indi- 
cating thereby  resemblance  rather  than  identity.  Prof. 
Sargent  in  our  own  day  takes  much  the  same  view,  and 
so  inclines  to  a  distinct  classification.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
the  plant  is  likely  to  be  known  in  the  future,  as  it  has  been 
in  the  past,  to  the  great  majority  of  those  who  have  to  do 
with  it,  as  the  Venetian  sumach  or  smoke  tree.  The  bush 
is  much  planted  in  England,  and  the  London  Garden 
speaks  of  it  from  that  standpoint  as  follows :  "  This 
when  in  flower  always  arrests  the  attention,  because  of  its 
singular  appearance,  of  even  those  who  do  not  take  a 
general  interest  in  shrubs.  On  account  of  the  feathery 
nature  of  the  sterile  flower-clusters,  some  call  it  the  wig 
tree,  a  name  by  which  perhaps  it  is  better  known  than 
Venetian  sumach.  It  is  an  invaluable  shrub,  as  it  is 
attractive  at  a  time  when  shrubberies  begin  to  look  dull  and 
monotonous.  It  is  always  a  dwarf,  spreading  bush,  rarely 
more  than  eight  feet  high.  Its  glaucous,  round  leaves 
make  a  pleasing  contrast  to  the  reddish,  feathery  clusters. 
It  is  hardy,  almost  evergreen,  and  grows  in  all  kinds  of 
soils,  but  must  always  have  plenty  of  room  to  allow 
of  full  development."  The  autumnal  foliage  assumes 
a  lovely  shade  of  rosy-crimson,  and  whether  in  groups 
or  standing  as  single  specimens  out  in  the  open,  it 
is  certain  to  attract  attention.  The  flowers  are  in  loose 
panicles,  of  light  purple  or  flesh  color,  the  pedicels  becoming 


Rhus — Sumach. 


199 


lengthened  and  hairy  after  blossoming,  and  spreading  over 
the  whole  bush,  giving  it  a  misty  appearance,  whence  it  is 


RHUS  COTINUS. 


often  known   as  the  smoke  tree,  by  which  name  in  some 
sections  many  only  know  it.     It  is  a  native  of  Caucasus 


200  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  other  eastern  countries,  and  proves  hardy  in  all  parts 
of  the  United  States. 

R.  semialata — Osbeck's  sumach.  This,  though  intro- 
duced to  eastern  cultivation  as  a  Japanese  tree,  is  found  to 
be  widely  distributed  throughout  most  of  the  Asiatic 
countries,  appearing  frequently  on  the  Himalayas  and  other 
lofty  mountains  as  well  as  in  lower  altitudes.  It  grows  in 
the  form  of  a  tree,  twenty  to  thirty  feet,  and  with  some- 
what remarkable  vigor.  Properly  cared  for,  it  makes  a 
shapely  and  symmetrical  specimen,  and  becomes  an  object 
of  beauty  wherever  planted.  As  first  described  as  seen 
at  the  Arnold  Arboretum,  where  it  had  been  tested  for 
several  years,  it  was  represented  as  having  compound 
leaves  some  fifteen  inches  long,  with  fifteen  to  twenty- 
three  leaflets  six  or  seven  inches  in  length,  dark  green  and 
shining  on  the  upper  surface  but  pale  and  covered  with 
a  soft,  rusty  pubescence  beneath.  The  short-pediceled 
flowers  are  produced  in  large  terminal  panicles,  the  whole 
constituting  a  very  showy  head.  The  florets  are  pure 
white,  though  the  projecting  anthers  give  a  yellowish  cast 
to  the  cluster  as  a  whole.  Not  much  can  be  said  for  the 
fruit,  which  is  inferior  to  that  of  several  of  the  American 
species.  The  blossoms  appear  late  in  July,  or  in  early 
August,  and  the  fruit  holds  on  until  late  in  autumn.  In 
Japan  the  coloring  of  the  leaves  near  the  close  of  the 
season  is  very  vivid,  and  the  most  brilliant  orange  and 
crimson  in  all  the  forests.  In  the  North  the  plant  is 
not  regarded  as  quite  as  hardy  as  some  of  the  native 
species. 


Osmanthus.  201 

AMORPHA. 

THIS  is  a  genus  of  the  order  Leguminoscz,  and  a  na- 
tive of  the  United  States,  and,  though  confined 
by  Nature's  processes  to  the  southern  section,  the 
cultivated  species  thrive  as  far  north  as  New  England, 
and  are  quite  at  home  in  the  middle  Northwest.  They  are 
described  as  handsome,  hardy,  deciduous  shrubs,  with 
graceful,  pinnate  leaves  and  many  pairs  of  leaflets  which 
are  full  of  pellucid  dots.  The  racemes  of  the  flowers  are 
in  elongated  spikes,  usually  in  fascicles  at  the  tops  of  the 
branches,  and  the  corolla  is  without  wings  and  keel.  They 
are  all  well  adapted  to  small  shrubberies,  preferring  a 
sheltered  situation  and  doing  well  in  any  good  garden 
soil. 

A  fruticosa,  or  the  shrubby  species,  is  better  known  as 
the  false  or  bastard  indigo,  from  the  color  of  its  blossoms, 
which  are  a  deep  indigo-blue  or  very  dark  bluish-purple. 
The  individual  flowers  are  small,  and,  except  on  close 
study,  appear  dull  and  uninteresting ;  but  closer  inspec- 
tion reveals  the  beauty  of  the  richly  colored  petals  as  con- 
trasted with  the  yellow  anthers,  which  protrude  slightly  be- 
yond the  rim  of  the  cup.  When  these  are  gathered  into 
spikes  borne  at  the  terminals  of  the  several  branches,  and 
these  spikes  are  bunched  in  twos  and  threes,  thus  covering 
almost  the  whole  bush,  they  appear  to  especial  advantage, 
and  are  really  beautiful.  The  bush  itself  is  somewhat 
stocky,  as  it  sends  up  numerous  free-growing  shoots  to 
the  height  of  six  or  eight  feet,  clothed  with  elliptic,  oblong 
leaves,  the  lower  ones  on  long  petioles  and  the  upper 
more  nearly  sessile,  glabrous,  and  slightly  pubescent.  The 


202  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

plant  is  at  its  best  late  in  June  or  early  in  July,  when  its 
blossoms  are  in  perfection. 

A.  canescens — Lead  plant. — This  is  a  much  smaller 
plant,  seldom  rising  more  than  three  feet.  According  to 
the  older  botanists,  it  was  introduced  to  English  gardens  as 
long  ago  as  1812,  and  was  received  with  considerable  favor, 
and  somewhat  freely  employed  in  decorative  horticulture. 
But  it  is  now  seldom  found  in  gardens  on  either  continent, 
having  been  crowded  out  by  the  multitude  of  new  and 
more  rare,  but  not  always  better,  sorts.  Still  it  is  named 
in  several  of  the  nurserymen's  catalogues,  especially  on  the 
European  continent.  It  is  worthy  of  a  restoration  to  pop- 
ular favor,  and  will  doubtless  again  see  better  days.  It 
takes  its  name  from  the  color  of  the  foliage,  which  in  both 
stems  and  leaves  is  of  a  whitish  or  lead-colored  cast.  The 
flowers  are  much  the  same  as  in  the  larger  species,  and 
are  also  produced  in  terminal,  clustered  spikes  several 
inches  long.  They  are  deep  purple,  and  do  not  usually 
make  their  appearance  until  the  first  of  August,  thus 
affording  color  at  a  time  when  flowering  shrubs  are  not 
supposed  to  be  at  their  best.  It  is  a  native  of  Missouri, 
where  it  is  still  found  growing  wild. 

Each  of  these  amorphas  has  given  off  several  varieties, 
which,  however,  do  not  appear  to  be  especial  improvements 
on  the  type. 

OSMANTHUS. 

THE  name  of  this  genus  was  applied  because  of  the 
peculiar  and  agreeable  fragrance  of  its  blossoms, 
and  is  made  up  from   osme,  signifying  perfume, 
and  anthos,  flower.      It  belongs  to  the  olive  family,  and  is 


Osmanthus.  203 

sometimes  classed  under  that  head  ;  but  the  best  author- 
ities point  out  differences  that  justify  a  distinct  classifica- 
tion. The  tribe  is  small,  only  seven  species  being  named. 
Those  of  greatest  value  are  natives  of  North  America  or 
Japan.  Though  classed  as  reasonably  hardy,  none  of 
them  will  endure  extreme  northern  winters  without  pro- 
tection. But  some  of  them,  at  least,  will  grow  in  the  open, 
in  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia,  and  with  slight  care  in 
New  York  and  even  in  southern  New  England.  They 
are  certainly  as  hardy  as  the  English  holly  or  most  of  the 
mahonias,  and  should  receive  much  the  same  treatment 
in  cultivation. 

O.  americanus  is  a  native  of  this  country,  and  grows 
in  tree  form  from  five  to  six  feet.  The  foliage  is  elliptic- 
lanceolate,  the  leaves  about  four  inches  long,  thick  and 
glossy.  The  blossoms  are  nearly  sessile,  in  threes,  ax- 
illary, appearing  in  June  in  a  compact  thyrse.  These 
are  followed  by  purple,  globose  fruit  in  the  form  of  a  nut, 
and  quite  palatable  to  the  taste.  It  is  a  good  plant, 
though  not  the  best  of  the  genus. 

O.  aquifolium. — This  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  esteemed 
one  of  the  best.  The  foliage  very  much  resembles  that 
of  the  holly,  being  oblong  or  oval,  coriaceous,  smooth,  and 
glossy.  The  leaves  are  stiffly  armed  with  teeth,  and  are 
evergreen,  thus  affording  an  attractive  winter  aspect  in 
connection  with  other  broad-leaved  evergreens.  The 
flowers  are  white,  very  sweet-scented,  appearing  in  autumn. 
Nicholson  pronounces  it  a  very  handsome  evergreen,  vary- 
ing considerably  in  the  size  and  toothing  of  the  leaves.  O.  a. 
illicifolium  is  a  variety  which  is  held  to  be  an  improvement 


204  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

over  the  type.  It  has  smaller  leaves  and  a  more  dense  and 
compact  head,  and  is  supposed  to  be  able  to  endure 
greater  degrees  of  cold.  It  is  pronounced  by  a  good 
authority  "  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the  evergreen  shrubs 
outside  of  the  conifers."  This  is  probably  an  overstate- 
ment resulting  from  undue  partiality  or  exceptional  con- 
ditions. But  it  is  really  a  beautiful  plant,  and  should  be 
brought  into  much  more  general  use.  Its  vigor  is  such 
that  it  may  be  safely  planted  in  almost  all  sections  of  the 
country,  numerous  instances  being  reported  where  it  has 
stood  a  zero  climate  without  the  loss  or  even  turning  of  a 
leaf.  Of  this  there  are  several  forms  of  variegation  in 
cultivation,  mostly  showing  different  colorings  of  leafage. 
O.  a.  myrifolium  is  what  is  known  as  "  a  fixed  sport,"  with 
dense  habit  and  leaves  without  spines.  O.  fragrans  is 
perhaps  the  best  known  of  all  the  species,  though  prop- 
erly esteemed  an  olive  and  described  as  O  lea  fragrans.  It 
possesses  the  general  characteristics  of  the  genus  as  already 
pointed  out,  its  flowers  being  yellow  instead  of  white  as  in 
the  O.  a.  illicifolium.  They  appear  in  June  and  continue 
until  August  under  usual  conditions,  and  are  very  pretty  as 
well  as  exceedingly  sweet-scented.  The  foliage  is  good, 
somewhat  lanceolate,  and  finely  serrated,  glossy  above  but 
paler  on  the  under  surface  and  less  showy.  It  is  a  native 
of  China,  and  grows  to  the  height  of  eight  or  ten  feet, 
making  a  very  attractive  bush  or  small  tree,  and  worthy 
of  a  place  in  every  garden  where  climatic  conditions  are 
favorable. 


Euonymus.  205 

EUONYMUS. 

THIS  genus  of  plants,  though  not  especially  large, 
is  widely  distributed.  It  was  known  to  the 
ancient  Greeks,  and  is  said  to  have  received  its 
name  from  Theophrastus  by  the  combination  of  eu^  signi- 
fying good,  and  onoma,  name  ;  and  it  is  thought  that  this 
term  may  have  been  applied  because  the  plant  had  the 
reputation  of  being  poisonous,  especially  to  cattle  and 
other  animals  which  might  feed  upon  its  leaves.  The 
application  of  a  good  name  to  an  object  as  a  cover  for  its 
bad  qualities,  was  somewhat  common  in  those  days,  per- 
haps for  the  charitable  purpose  of  hiding  defects  and  speak- 
ing well  of  the  unfortunate  ;  or  possibly  that  no  offence 
should  be  given  to  the  gods,  whose  workmanship  it  was  not 
deemed  prudent  to  criticise.  However  this  may  be,  the  eu- 
onymus  is  a  good  shrub,  highly  ornamental,  and  worthy  of  a 
place  in  all  our  gardens.  That  its  bark,  leaves,  and  flowers 
contain  elements  unfitting  them  for  food  is  very  true.  Be- 
cause of  certain  qualities  the  plant  has  long  been  esteemed 
by  physicians  for  its  medicinal  properties,  but  these  are  not 
such  as  to  render  it  dangerous  to  handle,  or  even  to  eat 
in  small  quantities.  Dr.  Gray  mentions  only  two  hardy 
species  as  indigenous  to  North  America,  and  one  variety. 
E.  americanus,  or  strawberry  tree,  is  described  as  a  low, 
upright,  or  straggling  bush,  from  two  to  five  feet  high,  with 
bright  green  ovate  or  oblong-lanceolate  leaves,  and  green- 
ish-purple flowers.  The  fruit,  when  ripened  in  autumn,  is 
crimson-scarlet,  and  very  showy.  This  variety  is  found 
mostly  in  moist  situations,  along  the  banks  of  streams,  and 
is  of  service  for  shady  situations  as  an  under-shrub. 


206  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

E.  atropurpureus,  known  as  the  burning-bush,  and  also, 
in  some  localities,  as  the  waahoo,  is  a  shrub  from  six  to 
fourteen  feet  high,  with  somewhat  spreading  branches, 
though  sometimes  grown  in  tree  form.  It  is  widely  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  country,  but  more  sparingly  on 
the  Atlantic  slope.  The  leaves  are  bright  green,  oblong, 
serrate,  and  nearly  sessile.  Flowers  appear  mostly  in 
fours,  are  dark  purple,  somewhat  showy,  and  come  in  June. 
But  the  chief  attraction  is  the  fruit,  which  remains  long 
into  autumn,  and  from  its  bright  scarlet  or  strawberry 
color  and  great  abundance  comes  the  popular  name  of 
burning-bush.  This  is  surpassed  for  late  autumn  effects 
by  few,  if  any,  plants  in  use. 

E.  europczus,  the  European  spindle  tree,  is  much  the 
same,  and  is  also  known  as  burning-bush,  though  its  seeds 
are  of  a  paler  hue,  verging  upon  orange-yellow.  This  has 
long  been  a  favorite  in  European  gardens.  It  grows 
equally  well  here,  and  is  largely  planted.  E.  latifolius, 
the  broad-leaved  euonymus,  is  also  a  shrub  of  European 
origin,  and  grows  six  to  eight  feet  high.  The  flowers  are 
white  when  first  opening,  afterward  becoming  shaded  with 
purple.  They  appear  in  June.  The  fruit  is  large,  abun- 
dant, and  highly  colored.  Though  not  much  known  in 
cultivation  in  this  country,  it  is  worth  a  trial  in  every 
good-sized  collection.  E.  nanus  is  a  veritable  dwarf, 
growing  about  two  feet,  with  spreading  branches.  It  ap- 
pears to  be  reasonably  hardy,  and  answers  a  good  purpose 
when  plants  of  its  proportions  are  desired.  Its  fruit  is 
abundant  and  showy. 

E.  japonicus,  Japan  euonymus,  is   an  evergreen,  and 


Euonymus. 


207 


not  so  hardy  as  the  European  and  American  species.  Its 
leaves  are  oblong  and  sharply  pointed,  and  the  flowers, 
which  appear  in  April,  are  small  and  somewhat  fringed. 


EUONYMUS  JAPONICUS. 


The  numerous  branches  are  pendulous,  gracefully  droop- 
ing on  all  sides,  and  affording  a  full,  round  head.  There 
are  several  varieties  in  cultivation,  in  one  of  which  the 
leaves  are  margined  with  white,  another  with  yellow,  and 
still  others  with  less  distinct  markings.  It  grows  to  a 


2o8  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

height  of  twenty  feet.  Meehan  says  :  "  It  is  one  of  the 
few  shrubs  doing  well  along  the  seashore,  though  probably 
not  hardy  north  of  New  Jersey." 

E.  radicans  is  also  an  introduction  from  Japan,  and  is 
coming  to  be  much  used  in  England  and  America.  It  is 
an  evergreen  climber  of  slow  growth,  more  hardy  than  the 
English  ivy,  and  for  that  reason  better  for  some  situations. 
Though  somewhat  particular  as  to  soils  and  exposures,  it 
possesses  qualities  which  commend  it  when  it  is  desired  to 
cover  small  areas,  and  to  establish  edgings  for  paths  and 
borders.  When  thus  employed  it  can  be  kept  as  low  as  the 
box,  and  is  to  be  preferred.  The  variety  with  variegated 
foliage,  E.  r.  argentea,  is  especially  desirable.  The 
leaves  are  light  gray,  and  hold  their  color  throughout  the 
winter. 

E.  yeddoensis  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  is  a  vigorous 
and  compact  grower,  with  large  leaves  deep  green  in  sum- 
mer and  bright  red  in  autumn.  The  fruit  is  scarlet, 
hanging  from  a  pink  envelope,  and  lasts  until  the  foliage 
falls.  It  may  not  be  entirely  hardy  in  the  Northern  States, 
but  should  have  a  future  in  the  South.  E.  japonicus  com- 
pactus  is  scarcely  known  in  this  country.  The  London 
Garden  describes  it  as  very  different  from  the  commoner 
forms  of  Japanese  euonymus,  as  it  makes  a  neat,  compact 
little  bush  not  more  than  six  inches  high,  but  quite 
upright  in  growth.  The  oblong-shaped  leaves  are  each 
about  three  quarters  of  an  inch  in  length,  of  a  deep  shin- 
ing green  with  a  narrow  margin  of  clear  white.  It  will 
doubtless  be  sought  after,  when  it  becomes  better  known, 
as  desirable  for  edgings  and  as  a  low  bedding  plant. 


Ostrya — Hop  Hornbeam,  Ironwood.        209 

E.  alatus,  or  Japanese  winged  euonymus,  proves  to  be 
large  and  well-shaped,  with  many  of  the  best  characteris- 
tics of  the  family,  and  in  every  way  a  most  desirable 
garden  plant.  Its  early  buds  in  spring  are  marked  with 
pink,  which  gives  it  a  peculiar  appearance.  The  foliage  is 
agreeable  at  all  times,  in  autumn  turning  to  a  pink  or  dark 
red  hue.  The  flowers  are  white  and  not  at  all  showy,  but 
masses  of  brilliant  scarlet  berries  afford  an  autumnal  ex- 
hibit of  rare  beauty.  It  is  not  much  planted  as  yet,  but 
as  it  is  quite  hardy  and  easily  grown  it  has  only  to  be 
better  known  in  order  to  win  popular  favor. 

OSTRYA — Hop  Hornbeam,  Ironwood. 

THIS  is  a  genus  of  the  order  Corylacecz,  of  but 
three  known  species.  Until  recently,  there  has 
been  supposed  to  be  but  one  in  Europe,  and 
one  in  America,  but  within  a  few  years  a  second  American 
form  has  been  discovered  in  Colorado,  though  it  is  smaller 
and  in  almost  every  way  inferior  to  those  which  have 
been  longer  and  so  much  better  known,  and  but  little 
account  in  this  connection  need  be  made  of  its  presence. 
It  has  been  named  O.  knowltonii  in  honor  of  the  discov- 
erer, Mr.  Frank  H.  Knowlton,  and  is  interesting  chiefly 
as  a  curiosity.  The  European  species,  C.  vulgaris,  has 
long  been  recognized  in  the  Old  World,  and  considerably 
planted,  but  now  has  practically  given  way  to  the  Ameri- 
can species,  which  answers  a  much  better  purpose. 

O.  virginica,  or  hop  hornbeam,  is  a  small  tree,  in  the 
extreme  North  scarcely  more  than  a  shrub,  of  slender  form, 
with  foliage  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the  black  birch. 


210  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

The  leaves  are  oval  or  egg-shaped,  about  three  inches  in 
length,  tapering  to  a  long  point,  and  with  many  smaller 
ones  on  the  same  branch.  They  are  smooth  above,  and 
slightly  downy  below,  with  somewhat  hairy  angles.  The 
autumnal  coloring  is  very  fine,  as  the  head  assumes  various 
shades  of  orange-brown  or  russet.  The  flowers  appear 
with  the  leaves,  and  the  fruit  is  in  a  closed,  bladdery-like, 
oblong  bag.  These  bag-like  involucres  form  a  sort  of 
strobile,  in  size  and  appearance  so  like  that  of  the  ordinary 
hop  cluster  as  to  justify  the  use  of  the  common  name.  It 
is  a  handsome  tree,  especially  when  in  fruit.  The  wood  is 
of  the  same  general  character  as  that  of  the  carpinus,  and 
is  used  for  the  same  purposes  ;  and  like  that  it  is  some- 
times called  ironwood. 

DESMODIUM. 

THE  desmodiums  are  shrubs  comparatively  little 
known,  and  yet  they  are  easily  grown  in  any 
good  garden  soil,  and  have  the  especial  merit  of 
blooming  late  in  the  autumn  and  continuously  until  cut 
down  by  frost.  The  branches  are  numerous,  gracefully 
pendulous,  and  when  covered  with  flowers  the  effect  is 
very  fine.  As  a  rule,  they  should  be  cut  back  severely, 
and  if  every  year  to  the  very  ground  the  roots  will  remain 
uninjured,  and  the  following  spring  throw  up  vigorous 
shoots  productive  of  the  result  described.  There  are  two 
species  suitable  for  cultivation  in  this  country.  D.penduli- 
florum  has  deep  rosy-purple  flowers  which  are  very  attrac- 
tive, and  by  many  it  is  placed  among  the  best  of  all  our 
ornamental  shrubs.  The  fact  that  the  flowers  appear  in 


Syringa — Lilac.  2 1 1 

September  or  early  October,  and  continue  until  winter  sets 
in,  makes  the  plant  a  favorite  wherever  known.  D.  japoni- 
cum^  a  native  of  China  and  Japan,  grows  to  about  half  the 
height,  and  produces  white,  pea-shaped  blossoms  the  whole 
length  of  the  dense,  pendulous  branches,  and,  \fat penduli- 
florum,  late  in  September.  It  is  an  especially  choice 
species,  and  worthy  of  introduction  into  all  our  gardens 
where  autumn  flowers  are  desired. 

SYRINGA— Lilac. 

THE  genus  syringa  is  too  familiar  to  the  general 
public  to  be  in  need  of  an  introduction,  though 
not  many  persons  are  familiar  with  its  history  or 
most  of  its  numerous  representatives.  The  species  and 
varieties  are  almost  everywhere  known  to  the  English- 
speaking  people  as  lilacs,  while  the  true  name  has  been 
popularly  applied  to  another  and  quite  a  different  family 
of  shrubs  to  which  it  in  no  wise  belongs.  Though  a  few 
sorts  only  have  been  widely  distributed  in  cultivation, 
there  are  yet  many  others,  including  numerous  later  ad- 
ditions to  the  list,  which  are  exceedingly  valuable  for 
horticultural  purposes  and  are  now  coming  into  use. 

The  syringas  belong  to  the  natural  order  Oleacea^  and 
as  first  known  to  botanists  were  supposed  to  be  the  pe- 
culiar product  of  Asia  Minor  and  the  countries  bordering 
on  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Black  Sea.  The  first  speci- 
mens were  brought,  as  early  as  1597,  to  England,  where 
they  were  received  with  much  favor  and  afterward 
largely  distributed.  From  the  mother  country  they  very 
naturally  found  their  way  to  America,  and  were  among 


212  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  first  to  be  thus  imported  and  used  in  the  colonial 
gardens.  Here,  too,  they  were  widely  scattered  through- 
out town  and  country,  and  soon  became  so  common  that 
many  people  have  been  led  to  suppose  they  were  natives 
of  the  soil. 

Not  more  than  from  twelve  to  fifteen  distinct  species 
are  known,  but  these  have  thrown  off  a  great  number  of 
varieties,  some  of  which  are  far  more  interesting  than  the 
types  from  which  they  have  sprung.  As  a  rule,  all  the 
lilacs  are  hardy  and  vigorous-growing  shrubs  or  small 
trees,  and  mostly  with  numerous  long,  straight  branches 
and  large  clusters  of  various-colored  flowers.  Few  shrubs 
or  trees  blossom  more  freely  and  uniformly  from  year  to 
year,  and  fewer  still  adapt  themselves  to  greater  diversi- 
ties of  soil  and  climate.  They  are  at  their  best  in  early 
spring  when  flowers  are  most  welcome,  and  can  scarcely 
be  planted  amiss  wherever  a  flowering  bush  or  tree  of 
their  proportions  is  desired.  Though  calling  attention  to 
a  goodly  number  of  forms,  old  and  new,  it  may  well  be 
said  that  no  list  of  the  species  and  varieties  can  be  com- 
plete and  remain  so  for  any  considerable  period,  inasmuch 
as  new  hybrids  and  fresh  offshoots  are  making  their  ap- 
pearance almost  every  day,  not  all  improvements  on  the 
older  forms. 

.£  vulgaris  is  the  old-fashioned  lilac,  which  is  under- 
stood to  have  come  from  Asia  through  the  medium 
already  designated.  Until  within  a  few  years  it  has  been 
supposed  that  it  was  nowhere  a  native  of  Europe,  but  of 
late,  in  some  of  its  varietal  forms  it  has  been  found  grow- 
ing wild  in  a  Hungarian  forest,  though  it  is  difficult  to  de- 


Syringa — Lilac. 


213 


termine  whether  these  growths  are  indigenous  to  that 
section  or  came  from  seeds  or  plants  that  had  "  escaped 
from  civilization,"  and  thus  found  a  new  home  through 
processes  well  understood  to  horticulturists.  The  tree 

grows  in  some- 
what bushy  form 
from  ten  to 
twelve  feet  high 
under  favorable 
conditions,  with 
smooth,  cordate 
leaves  on  long 
petioles,  and 
large,  showy 
panicles  of  flow- 
ers of  that  pe- 
culiar and  almost 
indescribable 
color  that  takes 
the  popular 
name  of  the 
g  e  n  u  s — 1  i  1  a  c . 
As  already  indicated,  scarcely  any  plant  has  been  natural- 
ized in  so  many  lands,  and  been  everywhere  so  thoroughly 
welcomed,  as  this,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  it  merits 
all  the  honors  which  it  has  received.  It  may  now  be  old- 
fashioned,  but  it  is  nevertheless  to  be  loved  and  honored. 

Of  this  species  there  are  many  varieties,  and  among 
them  some  of  the  finest  plants  in  cultivation.  It  would  be 
practically  impossible  to  describe  them  all  or  even  name 


SYRINGA  VULGARIS. 


214  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

them  in  this  connection,  but  the  following  are  among  the 
most  desirable  sorts,  and  the  descriptions  will  be  sufficient 
to  furnish  the  basis  for  a  wide  selection.  61  v.  alba  is  the 
well-known  common  white  lilac  which  so  many  have 
learned  to  love,  as  it  is  already  widely  distributed.  It 
closely  resembles  the  type  in  everything  except  the  color 
of  the  blossom,  which  is  pure  white  and  in  large  trusses. 
When  the  two  are  growing  together  the  contrast  in  this 
respect  is  very  marked.  Most,  if  not  all  the  other,  white  li- 
lacs are  of  inferior  proportions  to  the  vulgaris,  while  this 
is  at  least  of  equal  height.  61  v.  alba  grandiflora  is  a  much 
smaller  bush,  five  to  six  feet  high,  but  has  larger  clusters 
of  even  more  showy  flowers.  Another  white  variety,  6!  v. 
Marie  Le^raye  is  a  veritable  dwarf,  three  to  four  feet, 
but  though  low  is  sufficiently  bushy  to  show  a  beautiful 
head  of  pearly  blossoms,  making  it  especially  desirable  for 
borders  or  single  specimens  where  there  is  but  little  room 
to  be  devoted  to  lilac  culture.  It  is  to  many  a  curiosity 
greatly  admired.  61.  v.  Frau  Dammann,  another  offshoot, 
is  pronounced  by  some  good  judges  the  very  best  of  all 
the  white  sorts,  but,  though  possessing  many  excellences, 
it  is  scarcely  entitled  to  that  distinction.  It  would  be  dif- 
ficult, indeed,  to  name  any  member  of  the  family  as  to  be 
preferred  over  all  others  without  regard  to  conditions  and 
the  effects  to  be  desired.  This  is,  however,  a  choice  form, 
as  the  truss  is  very  large  and  the  color  without  spot  or 
blemish. 

But,  though  the  white-flowering  varieties  are  best 
known  and  most  largely  grown  of  any  of  the  departures 
from  the  typical  color,  there  are  other  shades  equally  beau- 


Syringa — Lilac. 


215 


tiful  and  useful  in  garden  planting.     There  are  those,  too, 
of  different  times  of  blossoming,  some  earlier  and  others 


SYRINQA,  LUDWIQ  SPAETH. 


later,  thus  giving  such  as  desire  to  extend  the  lilac  season 
an  opportunity  to  do  so  by  at  least  a  month's  prolongation. 
Among  these,  attention  may  first  be  called  to  the  variety 


216  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

Charles  A".,  which,  so  far  as  known,  is  a  favorite  with  all 
planters.  It  grows  from  six  to  eight  feet  high  and  in  good 
form.  Under  favorable  conditions  it  is  a  vigorous  grower 
with  glossy  foliage  and  large  open  trusses  of  reddish-purple 
blossoms.  This  sort  has  gained  a  popular  favor  as  one 
of  the  most  excellent  of  its  class,  a  reputation  which  it  well 
merits.  Among  others  of  about  the  same  height,  differing 
chiefly  in  the  color  of  the  blossom,  may  be  named  Ludwig 
Spaeth,  dark  reddish  purple  ;  gloire  de  moulins,  purple-rose  ; 
Comte  Horace  de  Choiseul,  deep  violet-red  ;  Prof.  Sargent, 
red  and  violet ;  pyramidalis,  azure-rose  ;  riibra  insignis, 
rosy  purple  ;  Senateur  Volland,  rosy  red  ;  Jean  Bart,  rosy 
crimson  ;  Van  Houttei,  red  ;  Jacques  Calot,  rosy  pink ;  and 
cczrulea  superba,  blue.  This  list  might  be  almost  indefi- 
nitely extended,  though  in  most  cases  the  difference  would 
be  found  so  slight  that  it  might  tend  to  confusion  rather 
than  profit. 

,S.  persica — Persian  lilac. — This  was  probably  the 
second  of  the  lilacs  brought  to  America  and  accepted  as 
one  of  the  favorite  plants  for  popular  planting.  It  is  a 
much  smaller  bush  than  ,£  vulgaris,  usually  growing  but 
four  to  six  feet  high,  with  numerous  slender  branches,  all 
of  which  are  of  service  in  the  production  of  flowers.  The 
leaves  are  small,  lanceolate,  holding  their  bright  green 
color  through  the  entire  summer,  so  that  the  shrub  is 
always  attractive.  The  flowers  are  purple  with  a  bluish 
cast,  and  very  pretty.  They  appear  in  April  and  May, 
according  to  local  conditions,  and  always  make  a  fine  show 
in  the  border  or  hedge  as  well  as  in  groups  or  as  single 
specimens.  .S.  /.  alba  is  a  variety  with  white  blossoms, 


Syringa — Lilac. 


217 


and  differing  from  the  original  in  little  else.  .5".  p.  lacini- 
ata  is  a  form  with  finely  cut  foliage,  but,  though  inter- 
esting, is  not  especially  to  be  preferred.  The  Persian 
lilacs  are  better  suited  to*  forcing  under  glass,  for  the  pro- 
duction of  cut  flowers,  than  most  others,  and,  thus  grown, 
the  blossoms  are  great  favorites  for  the  Christmas  and 
Easter  holidays. 

^.  chinensis  —  Chinese    lilac. — The    nativity    of    this 


3s   "!H  H      :*£ 


'fa-***       -     *:-•      *^.^  ..^fj^.- >  .  ^  -^  .  ,^_-_-^ 

^'v'^SS^Bf' 

i  ^p^  ;-.  ^2X-'1^  ^?        - 


f-^/^BH. 


^Sn^^rTr^^T-t-^  •'"      "-:;i-7"Ci>'y 

r;-^^-<--^-:  E  ^^MS^^^-:-^  ^r,«m 


SYRINGA  CHINENSIS. 


species,  or  as  some  call  it,  variety,  is  not  certainly  known, 
though  it  is  believed  to  have  come  from  China,  and 
thought  to  be  a  possible  hybrid  between  61.  vulgaris  and 
6".  persica.  So  far  as  known,  it  is  found  in  gardens  only, 
and  as  a  cultivated  plant.  In  proportions  it  is  inter- 
mediary between  the  two  species  named,  and  is  found  pos- 
sessing some  of  the  special  characteristics  of  each.  It 
grows  to  a  height  of  seven  to  eight  feet,  with  a  loose, 


2i8  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

open  head.  The  leaf  is  thick,  ovate,  and  in  early  spring 
inclined  to  be  glossy.  The  flowers  appear  in  large  open 
panicles  and  are  of  a  reddish-purple  or  violet  color  some- 
what peculiar  to  the  family.  It  is  also  known  in  the 
catalogues  as  S.  rothomagensis,  though  the  identity  of  the 
two  is  not  conceded  by  some  authorities.  However  that 
may  be,  Garden  and  Forest,  in  one  of  its  earliest  issues, 
fixes  its  place  in  practical  horticulture  in  pronouncing  it 
"  one  of  the  hardiest  and  handsomest  shrubs  in  cultiva- 
tion, producing  its  enormous  clusters  of  flowers  in  the 
greatest  profusion." 

S.  oblata  is  also  of  Chinese  origin,  and  is  sometimes 
advertised  as  a  new  species  in  cultivation,  but  it  is  not 
such  in  any  proper  sense  of  the  word.  And  yet,  though 
not  new,  it  is  quite  rare  even  in  our  best  gardens.  It  was 
discovered  by  Mr.  Fortune  in  a  garden  at  Shanghai,  and 
through  him  introduced  many  years  ago  to  Europe,  where 
it  was  welcomed  as  one  of  the  best  of  its  class  in  cultiva- 
tion. It  is  nowhere  found  growing  wild,  and  so  must  be 
considered  strictly  a  garden  variety  with  an  unknown 
parentage.  In  its  general  appearance  it  somewhat  resem- 
bles 6".  vulgaris,  having  broadly  cordate  and  sharply  pointed 
leaves,  which  hold  on  until  late  autumn,  and  often  assume 
brilliant  shades  of  color,  constituting  it  at  that  season  one 
of  the  most  attractive  objects  in  field  or  garden.  The 
flowers  are  large  and  of  a  purple  shade,  somewhat  differing 
from  that  of  the  common  varieties,  but  not  easily  described. 
They  appear  ten  or  twelve  days  earlier  than  those  of  most 
of  the  species,  before  or  with  the  expanding  foliage,  thus 
serving  a  good  purpose  in  lengthening  the  season  at  the 


Syringa — Lilac.  2 1 9 

) 

beginning.     The  species  is  reputed  hardy  and  capable  of 
doing  good  service  in  warmer  latitudes  than   most  others. 

S.  villosa  is  another  Chinese  sort,  having  first  been 
seen  by  a  French  missionary,  about  the  middle  of  the  last 
century,  in  the  vicinity  of  Peking,  and  by  him  sent  to 
his  own  country.  This  is  also  sometimes  advertised  as  a 
new  species,  but  it  is  so  only  in  the  sense  of  being  rare 
in  the  section  where  it  is  sought  to  be  distributed  at  that 
particular  time.  It  has  been  known  to  horticulturists  and 
to  Old  World  gardens  for  more  than  a  hundred  years,  and 
is  another  of  the  dwarf  varieties,  growing  from  four  to  six 
feet,  and  in  a  somewhat  bushy  shape.  The  plant  carries 
large  panicles  of  flowers  which  are  light  purple  in  the  bud 
and  when  opening  to  the  sunlight,  but  when  fully  ex- 
panded they  become  a  creamy  white.  One  of  its  excel- 
lences is  found  in  the  fact  that  it  blossoms  late  in  May, 
fully  two  weeks  after  most  other  sorts.  The  foliage  is 
especially  good,  much  resembling  that  of  the  well-known 
white  fringe,  thick,  leathery,  and  glossy. 

61  japonica  --Japan  lilac. — This  is  one  of  the  later 
introductions  from  that  land  of  flowers  which  has  done  so 
much  for  our  modern  horticulture.  It  is  one  of  the  largest 
of  all  the  lilacs,  at  times  growing  with  but  a  single  stem 
some  twenty  feet  high,  and  producing  a  spreading  and 
well  formed  head.  Because  of  this  peculiarity  it  has 
come  to  be  popularly  known  as  the  tree  lilac,  a  designation 
not  at  all  misapplied.  The  leaves  are  large,  ovate,  sharp- 
pointed,  smooth  above,  and  slightly  pubescent  beneath. 
The  flower  clusters  are  also  of  unusual  size,  in  immense 
trusses  of  pure  or  slightly  creamy  white,  but  without  fra- 


220  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

grance.  They  do  not  break  forth  until  near  the  first  of 
July,  thus  adding  from  two  to  four  weeks  to  the  season 
when  these  beautiful  plants  are  in  bloom.  Established 
singly  on  the  lawn  or  in  the  field,  this,  all  things  consid- 
ered, is  the  most  striking  and  showy  of  the  whole  family. 
It  is  of  fairly  rapid  growth,  but  should  be  given  a  good, 
rich  soil  to  make  sure  of  best  results.  So  far  as  observa- 
tion in  this  country  has  gone,  it  steadily  improves  with 
age,  thus  affording  promise  of  long-continued  usefulness 
as  one  of  our  best  large  ornamental  shrubs. 

,£  josikcea. — The  discovery  of  this  species  was  made 
by  the  Baroness  Josika  on  the  banks  of  a  rocky  river  in 
Transylvania,  and  so  it  took  that  lady's  name.  It  was  at 
one  time  supposed  to  have  been  a  mere  garden  variety, 
but  later  information  is  to  the  effect  that  the  home  of 
the  species  is  in  the  depths  of  a  Hungarian  forest  far  away 
from  the  haunts  of  man,  where  it  is  said  that  "  for  miles 
and  miles  where  S.  josikcea  grows  neither  a  house  nor 
a  hut  is  to  be  seen."  And  even  there  it  was  not  freely 
distributed,  and  must  have  been  of  comparatively  recent 
origin  or  else  has  been  exceedingly  non-aggressive  in  its 
character.  At  its  best,  it  grows  about  five  to  seven 
feet  high,  and  has  bluish-purple  flowers  in  comparatively 
small  panicles,  blossoming  in  May  among  the  earliest 
of  its  class.  The  foliage  is  large,  slightly  wrinkled,  very 
bright  green,  and  almost  glossy  on  the  upper  surface 
while  quite  light  on  the  under  side.  The  botanists  are 
not  quite  agreed  whether  this  is  an  independent  species  or 
a  slightly  varying  form  of  61.  emodi,  a  member  of  the  family 
longer  known,  and  which  came  from  the  Emodus  moun- 


Syringa — Lilac.  2  2 1 

tain  of  the  Himalayan  range,  from  which  it  takes  its  name. 
It  is  thought,  also,  to  be  confounded  with  ,S.  villosa,  and 
for  equally  good  reasons.  These  may  be  important  ques- 
tions for  the  consideration  of  the  scientists,  but  to  the 
practical  horticulturist  it  is  enough  to  know  that  the 
three  so  closely  resemble  each  other  as  to  size,  habits 
of  growth,  and  similitude  of  flower,  that  there  is  little 
or  no  choice  between  them.  Each  is  a  good  garden 
plant  and  especially  adapted  to  small  grounds  where 
larger  growths  might  prove  out  of  place. 

Within  a  few  years,  a  new  race  of  lilacs  has  been 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  public  through  the  well- 
directed  efforts  of  certain  botanists  and  horticulturists, 
especially  of  M.  Lemoine  of  Nancy,  France,  whose  name 
had  already  become  well  known  as  a  scientist  of  no  mean 
repute.  This  gentleman,  having  entered  upon  a  thorough 
process  of  crossing  and  hybridization  in  this  direction, 
has  succeeded  in  bringing  out  a  class  of  these  shrubs 
which,  while  retaining  most  of  the  better  features  of  the 
genus,  are  still  a  great  improvement  upon  the  original 
forms.  These  have  been  given  to  the  public,  and  have 
added  much  to  the  interest  and  pleasure  of  lilac  cultiva- 
tion throughout  the  world.  Already  the  series  of  hy- 
brids and  crosses  have  been  widely  distributed,  and 
specimens  are  to  be  found  in  many  of  our  best  gardens. 
As  this  method  of  production  is  continued  from  year  to 
year,  other  new  forms  are  constantly  appearing,  though 
most  of  the  later  sorts  so  nearly  resemble  some  of  those 
previously  sent  out  that  the  limit  has  been  nearly 
reached.  The  following  are  among  the  best  of  the  recent 


222  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

productions  having  double  flowers :  what  is  known  as 
S.  lemoinei,  named  in  honor  of  the  originator,  is  not  only 
one  of  the  earliest  of  these  new  creations  but  also  one 
of  the  best.  It  grows  six  or  seven  feet,  with  foliage 
resembling  that  of  61  vulgaris,  and  has  clusters  of  flowers 
eight  or  nine  inches  long,  of  reddish-purple  color,  distinctly 
shaded.  The  individual  blossoms  constituting  the  thyrse 
are  double,  quite  large,  fragrant,  and  so  compacted  as  to 
show  to  the  best  advantage.  That  known  as  President 
Gre'vy  has  still  larger  panicles,  measuring  from  ten  to 
twelve  inches,  which  are  made  up  of  individual  flowers 
very  double,  three  quarters  of  an  inch  across,  purple,  and 
with  perhaps  the  deepest  shade  of  blue  extending  over  the 
whole  that  is  to  be  seen  in  the  lilac  family.  Pyramidalis, 
as  its  name  indicates,  appears  in  upright  pyramidal  form, 
with  an  abundance  of  rose-tinted  purple  blossoms  which 
are  carmine  in  the  bud,  and  especially  valuable  for  forming 
contrasts.  Lamarck  is  an  excellent  variety  with  very  large 
clusters,  rosy  lilac,  and  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  the 
entire  group.  Michael  Buchner  is  a  veritable  dwarf  of 
but  three  to  four  feet,  but  produces  large  panicles,  which 
stand  erect  on  the  bush  and  are  very  showy  in  color,  pale 
lilac. 

Marie  Legrange  is  one  of  the  best  dwarf  varieties,  and 
is  well  suited  to  growing  in  pots  and  to  moderate  forcing 
under  glass.  It  grows  freely,  sending  out  numerous  slen- 
der branches,  all  of  which  are  crowded  with  blooms,  giving 
it  somewhat  the  appearance  of  a  huge  bouquet.  These 
flowers  are  of  the  purest  white,  of  good  size,  and  borne  in 
large  trusses.  Such  a  plant  makes  a  fine  show  in  mid- 


224  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

winter,  at  Christmas,  or  at  Easter,  and  can  easily  be  in  its 
perfection  at  either  date.  Leon  Simon  is  of  all  the  numer- 
ous double-flowering  sorts  one  of  the  very  best.  The 
flower  clusters  are  compact,  with  petals  slightly  incurved, 
and  of  a  light  purple  shade,  quite  distinct  in  that  respect. 
The  individual  blooms  are  of  somewhat  unusual  propor- 
tions, and,  gathered  in  the  truss,  constitute  a  long  and 
characteristic  bunch  of  the  fairest  proportions.  This 
variety  grows  to  a  medium  size  and  blooms  in  the  height 
of  the  lilac  season.  Alphonse  Lavalle  is  another  of  the 
dwarf  forms,  with  double  flowers  of  the  old-fashioned  lilac 
color,  and  in  large  and  dense  spikes.  It,  too,  makes  an 
excellent  pot  plant,  and  is  well  suited  to  forcing. 

BACCHARIS— Halimifolia. 

THE  baccharis,  sometimes  known  as  the  groundsel 
tree,  is  especially  adapted  for  planting  at  the 
water's  edge.  It  is  grown  freely  in  salt  marshes, 
and  is  valuable  to  planters  by  the  seashore  ;  and  as  we 
have  so  few  plants  that  will  endure  in  such  locations,  it  is 
often  especially  useful.  It  is  a  tall,  resinous  or  glutinous 
shrub,  growing  sometimes  to  a  height  of  ten  or  twelve 
feet,  but  usually  smaller.  It  has  dark  green,  abundant 
foliage,  and  small  heads  of  white  or  yellow  blossoms. 
These  are  not  large,  or  very  showy,  but  they  are 
produced  in  such  leafy  panicles  at  the  end  of  the  branches 
that  the  plant  makes  a  good  appearance  late  in  the  season. 
This  is  especially  the  case  with  the  fertile  one,  for  in  bac- 
charis the  male  and  female  flowers  are  borne  on  distinct 
plants.  The  tufts  of  long,  pure  white  hairs  give  to  the 


Andromeda.  225 

females  an  entirely  different  appearance  from  that  of  the 
yellow-flowered  males.  The  baccharis  is  seldom  seen 
except  at  or  near  sea-beaches,  but  when  once  known  in 
garden  cultivation  it  will  no  doubt  become  more  common. 


FRINGE   TREE   (CHIONANTHUS   VIRGINICA).     See  page  239. 

ANDROMEDA. 

TO  the  popular  mind  the  name  andromeda  covers  a 
large   number  of  choice  plants   now  distributed 
through    a    wider  classification.       According    to 
most  of  the  trade  catalogues,  it  has  been  made  to  include 
a  group  of  small  shrubs  which,  though  closely  related,  are 
now  assigned  to  other  genera,  and  given  a  distinct  place 
in  botanical  lore.     For  sake  of  accuracy  the  newer  and 
stricter  classification  will  here  be  recognized  and  applied, 
while  keeping  in  mind  the  popular  conception  sufficiently 

to  prevent  confusion  on   the  part  of  such  as  have  been 

15 


226  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

familiar  with  the  discarded  name,  and  might  be  at  a  loss 
to  recognize  old  favorites  under  the  rearrangement  of 
titles.  No  more  interesting  and  useful  plants  for  orna- 
mental purposes  than  those  here  described  can  be  found, 
and  they  will  prove  as  meritorious  under  the  new  titles  as 
under  the  old. 

The  name  andromeda  was  first  applied  by  Linnaeus  to 
a  small  semi-aquatic  plant  of  the  order  Ericacece,  discovered 
on  one  of  his  exploring  tours  in  the  North,  and  the  great 
naturalist  was  seldom  more  enthusiastic  in  his  praise  of 
plant  or  flower  than  when  he  wrote  of  the  water  andromeda, 
and  described  it  in  his  Tour  of  Lapland.  "  The  flowers 
are  quite  blood-red  before  they  expand,  but  when  fully 
grown  the  corolla  is  of  flesh  color.  Scarcely  any  painter's 
art  can  so  happily  imitate  the  beauty  of  a  fine  female  com- 
plexion ;  still  less  could  any  artificial  color  on  the  face  itself 
bear  comparison  with  the  lovely  blossom.  As  I  looked 
upon  it  I  could  not  help  thinking  of  Andromeda  as 
described  by  the  poets,  and  the  more  I  meditated  on  their 
descriptions  the  more  applicable  they  seemed  to  the  little 
plant  before  me,  so  that  if  these  writers  had  it  in  view 
they  could  scarcely  have  contrived  a  more  apposite  fable. 
This  plant  is  always  fixed  in  some  turfy  hillock  in  the 
midst  of  swamps,  as  Andromeda  herself  was  chained  to  a 
rock  in  the  sea  which  bathed  her  feet  as  the  fresh  water 
does  the  root  of  this  plant." 

A.  polifolia,  the  species  so  poetically  described  by  the 
flower-lover,  is  indigenous  to  America  as  well  as  to  northern 
Europe,  where  it  is  often  called  wild  rosemary.  It  is 
found  in  wet,  boggy  land  alike  in  New  Jersey  and  Min- 


Pieris.  227 

nesota,  and  even  farther  north.  It  is  not  often  that 
specimens  of  more  than  twelve  to  fifteen  inches  in  height 
are  seen,  and  on  drier  land  they  are  even  less  high.  The 
foliage  is  composed  of  linear,  sharp-pointed  leaves,  entire, 
and  with  somewhat  revolute  edges.  The  midrib  is  promi- 
nent, and  the  veins  reticulated.  The  flowers  are  mostly 
white,  and  tinted  with  pink  and  sometimes  tipped  with 
red.  There  are  several  varieties,  differing  chiefly  in  the 
color  of  the  blossoms,  but  all  possessing  the  same  general 
characteristics. 

The  wild  rosemary  is  the  true  andromeda.  The  pieris, 
cassandra,  zenobia,  and  leucothoe,  members  of  the  popu- 
larly called  "  andromeda  group,"  are  now  described  under 
their  own  heads. 

PIERIS. 

ALL  the  members  of  the  "  andromeda  family"  bear 
classic  names,  and  this  title  was  conferred  in 
honor  of  Pieria,  the  town  in  Thessaly  where  the 
Muses  were  supposed  to  congregate  and  pass  much  of 
their  time.  Not  more  than  ten  or  twelve  species  are 
included  in  the  classification,  and  it  is  not  easy  to  deter- 
mine the  number  known  to  the  literature  of  mythology. 
The  pieris  is  now  distributed  over  portions  of  China,  the 
Malay  Islands,  Japan,  and  North  America,  and  includes 
some  of  the  most  interesting  plants  known  to  horticul- 
ture. Nearly  all  are  hardy,  and  while  especially  adapted 
to  cultivation  in  the  middle  sections  of  the  United  States, 
they  can  be  grown  in  New  England  and  many  parts  of 
the  Northwest. 


228 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


P.  mariana,  the  stagger  bush,  is  a  small  species  from 
two  to  four  feet  high,  and  is  capable  of  good  service  in 
enlivening  the  border  or  brightening  the  lawn  in  the  early 
season  when  so  few  hardy  shrubs  are  in  flower.  It  is  a 
native  American,  with  mostly  glabrous,  oval  leaves  two  to 


PIERIS    MARIANA. 


three  inches  long,  and  graceful,  nodding,  white  flowers 
borne  on  terminal,  naked  stems  and  branches  in  April  and 
early  May.  It  grows  wild  in  wet  or  low  grounds  from 
New  England  to  Florida,  and  westward  to  Texas  and 
Arkansas,  and  may  be  considered  hardy  throughout  the 
whole  country.  Its  foliage  is  believed  by  the  farmers  to 


Pieris.  229 

possess  poisonous  qualities  that  are  fatal  to  lambs  and 
young  calves,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  this  is  the  case.  P. 
ligustrina  is  another  of  the  early  bloomers,  and  grows  five 
to  ten  feet  high,  and  with  a  well-proportioned  and  compact 
head.  The  foliage  is  oblong-lanceolate,  somewhat  pubes- 
cent, and  in  panicles.  The  flowers  are  in  small  but 
numerous  bunches,  and  cover  the  bush  slightly  in  advance 
of  the  others.  There  is  a  southern  variety  still  more 
pubescent,  but  it  is  not  known  to  be  hardy  in  the  North- 
ern States,  or  to  be  superior  to  the  original. 

P.  floribunda. — No  one  should  think  of  planting  any 
considerable  number  of  ornamental  shrubs  without  includ- 
ing this  charming  plant  in  the  list.  It  belongs  to  the 
class  whose  foliage  continues  throughout  the  winter,  and 
is  handsome  all  the  year.  It  grows  from  four  to  six  feet 
in  height,  and  nearly  always  in  a  well-rounded  and  com- 
pact form.  The  branches  and  branchlets  ordinarily  spring 
from  the  ground,  and,  being  numerous,  the  foliage  is  so 
dense  that  they  are  almost  concealed  from  the  eye.  The 
flower  buds,  which  are  formed  the  previous  autumn, 
occupy  a  prominent  position  above  the  evergreen  foliage, 
and  are  largely  proof  against  wind  and  cold.  Like  most 
others  of  this  family,  the  flowers  are  white,  and  closely 
resemble  the  lily  of  the  valley,  hanging  in  pendent  and 
much-branched  racemes.  While  very  desirable  for  out-of- 
door  cultivation,  this  variety  is  also  recommended  for 
growing  under  glass  when  the  flowers  are  wanted  out 
of  season,  especially  for  Christmas  and  Easter  holidays. 

P.japonica,  though  a  native  of  the  distant  East,  is  a 
near  relative  of  the  preceding,  and  with  numerous  close 


230  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

affinities.  It,  too,  has  rich  glossy  leaves  which  remain 
through  the  winter.  They  are  from  one  to  two  inches 
long,  and  taper  to  a  point  at  both  ends,  and  are  of  such  a 
striking  character  as  to  attract  attention  at  all  seasons.  In 
the  spring  the  new  leaves  are  bright  pink  or  red,  and 
when  seen  at  a  little  distance  make  the  bush  present  the 


PIERIS    FLORIBUNDA. 


appearance  of  one  already  in  flower.  This  tint  gradually 
changes  to  a  light  green,  and  later  to  the  normal  color 
which  is  much  darker,  and  continues  all  the  year.  The 
waxy-white  flowers  are  in  long  racemes,  and  borne  in  pro- 
fusion so  that  in  April  or  early  in  May  the  upper  part  of 
the  plant  is  almost  completely  covered.  In  some  respects 
this  species  is  to  be  preferred  to  the  floribunda^  but  a 


Cassandra.  231 

group  of  either  planted  in  a  bed  or  border  edged  with 
lower  forms,  such  as  heaths  and  azaleas,  can  be  scarcely 
excelled  in  beauty.  There  is  a  variegated  form  with 
leaves  deeply  and  irregularly  marked  with  creamy-white. 
This  combination  of  colors  with  the  bright  red  of  the 
early-growing  leaves,  and  the  glossy  green  of  the  mature 
foliage  from  the  previous  season,  taken  with  the  sheets  of 
white  blossoms,  make  some  of  the  most  remarkable  group- 
ings to  be  found  in  our  parks  and  gardens.  P.  formosa 
is  a  Himalayan  plant  resembling  the  Japanese  very  closely. 
It  is  a  beautiful  bush  clothed  with  broadly-lanceolate, 
evergreen  leaves  of  a  deep  tint.  The  flowers  are  porce- 
lain white  and  disposed  in  terminal,  branching  clusters. 
The  buds  of  the  pieris  practically  mature  the  previous 
year,  and  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  proceed  with  the 
utmost  promptitude  on  the  approach  of  spring  to  improve 
their  opportunities.  But  were  there  no  flowers  it  would 
still  be  one  of  the  best  foliage  plants  that  we  have,  even 
surpassing  the  rhododendron  in  the  bright  glossiness  of  its 
leaves  and  in  its  general  appearance.  It  is  probably 
hardier  than  the  rhododendron. 

CASSANDRA. 

THE  cassandras,  also  popularly  classed  as  androme- 
das,  constitute  a  small  genus  of  plants  desirable 
in   cultivation,    and   steadily   coming   into   more 
general   use.      The    name    is    in    memory    of   the  fabled 
daughter  of  Priam  and  Hecuba.     There  is  probably  but 
one  species,  C.  calyculata,  and  but  one  or  two  varieties 
calling  for  attention  in  this  direction.     The  typical  plant 


232  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

is  a  native  of  the  United  States,  ranging  from  the  Caro- 
linas  to  New  England,  though  ordinarily  not  very  freely 
distributed.  It  is  everywhere  a  low  and  much-branched 
shrub  with  elliptic-oblong  foliage,  smooth  above,  but  of  a 
rusty  brown  beneath,  thick  and  almost  leathery,  retaining 
its  vitality  late  in  the  season,  becoming  in  the  South  al- 
most an  evergreen.  The  flowers,  which  come  out  in  April 
or  May,  are  pure  white,  on  short  pedicels,  oblong-cylin- 
drical, and  always  attractive.  They  mostly  spring  from 
the  axils  of  the  leaves  and  are  borne  in  one-sided  racemes 
that  cover  almost  the  entire  bush.  It  grows  but  from  one 
to  three  feet  high,  and  for  best  effects  should  be  planted 
in  groups  or  in  connection  with  other  shrubs. 

C.  angustifolia  is  sometimes  referred  to  as  a  distinct 
species,  but  may  be  more  properly  described  as  a  variety 
which  is  in  some  respects  an  improvement  on  the  original 
form.  It  has  longer  and  more  narrow  foliage,  and  slightly 
varies  from  the  type  in  the  shape  and  disposition  of  the 
blossoms.  These  last  are  in  recurved  racemes  of  the 
purest  white,  with  an  oblong-ovate  corolla  slightly  con- 
tracted at  the  mouth.  They,  too,  are  on  short  flower 
stems,  and  borne  at  the  ends  of  the  branches,  appearing 
in  April.  C.  crispa  is  one  of  its  synonyms,  though  some- 
times catalogued  as  a  distinct  form. 

ZENOBIA. 

THIS  is  a  monotypic  genus  of  the  Ericaceae   and, 
though   a  beautiful   plant,   is  not  so  widely  dis- 
tributed as  its  merits  would  justify.    It  was  named 
after  the  famous  Empress  of  Palmyra  who  lived  in  the 


Leucothoe.  233 

third  century,  and  in  her  honor,  having  been  even  then 
brought  into  cultivation  and  won  distinction.  It  is  a 
small,  well-shaped  shrub  of  from  three  to  five  feet  in 
height,  and  sufficiently  hardy  to  endure  our  ordinary 
winters.  It  prefers  a  mixture  of  sand  and  peat,  and  in 
general  cultivation  should  receive  much  the  same  treat- 
ment as  the  rhododendron  or  hardy  azalea. 

Z.  speciosa. — This  is  a  dense-growing  shrub  with  foliage 
of  pale  green,  slightly  rounded,  and  holding  its  color  well 
through  the  season.  The  flowers  are  small,  bell-shaped, 
pure  white,  and  of  wax-like  texture,  borne  in  profusion  in 
midsummer,  and  covering  the  entire  bush.  The  shrub 
continues  in  bloom  a  long  time,  and  is  always  pretty.  As 
growing  among  the  heaths,  azaleas,  rhododendrons,  and 
other  small  plants  it  appears  to  especial  advantage,  and 
serves  a  useful  purpose  in  lengthening  out  the  flowering 
season.  Z.  pulverulent  a,  or  Andromeda  dealbata,  is  a 
variety  that  is  prized  by  many  even  above  the  original. 
It,  too,  flowers  long  in  succession,  and  in  July  and  August, 
when  most  plants  of  the  "  andromeda  group  "  are  out  of 
bloom.  It  requires  much  the  same  treatment  in  the  garden 
as  does  the  azalea,  but  is  even  more  in  need  of  water 
during  the  dry  season  if  the  best  results  are  to  be  had  the 
following  summer. 

LEUCOTHOE. 

THIS  genus  of  Ericacece  is  named  after  the  sea  god- 
dess, and  contains  about  eight  species  which  are 
closely  related  to  the  andromeda.    The  leucothoes 
are  all  small,  hardy  shrubs  indigenous  to  North  America, 
and  preferring  moist,  peaty  soils  and  a  temperate  climate. 


234  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

They  are  deciduous,  with  alternate,  oblong,  or  lanceolate 
leaves  holding  on  late  in  autumn,  and  in  warm  climates 
well  into  the  winter,  becoming  almost,  if  not  quite,  ever- 
green. The  flowers  are  generally  white,  though  occasion- 
ally tinted  with  pink  or  rose.  They  are  desirable  plants 
for  masses,  in  borders,  or  as  single  specimens. 

L.  racemosa  is  one  of  the  best-known  of  the  group, 
and  is  probably  the  largest,  and,  all  things  considered, 
one  of  the  most  desirable.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Southern 
States,  growing  as  far  south  as  Florida  and  Texas,  where 
it  produces  elegant  white  flowers  in  April  and  May.  They 
are  in  long  racemes,  waxy  in  appearance,  and  very  fra- 
grant. The  bark  on  the  young  branches,  which  are  mostly 
erect,  is  bright  red,  and  in  marked  contrast  to  the  rich 
green  and  glossy,  oval,  lance-shaped  foliage.  The  bush 
grows  from  four  to  ten  feet  in  height,  and  is  hardy  in  the 
North,  though  the  flowers  are  sometimes  injured  where 
late  frosts  are  common. 

L.  catesbcei  is  a  plant  from  two  to  four  feet  in  height, 
with  ovate-lanceolate  leaves,  serrulate,  and  borne  on  long, 
slender  petioles.  Its  flowers  are  pure  white  and  beautiful, 
but  with  what  is  to  most  people  a  rather  unpleasant  odor, 
which  is  slightly  offensive  when  one  comes  in  contact  with 
the  shrub  in  blossom,  and  sometimes  when  in  its  imme- 
diate vicinity.  But  at  a  little  distance  this  is  not  perceptible, 
and  its  general  appearance  is  so  good  that  this  draw- 
back should  not  altogether  preclude  its  cultivation.  Z. 
acuminata  is  a  species  with  snow-white  blossoms  in  great 
profusion.  They  are  in  very  short  but  numerous  axillary 
racemes,  the  corolla  being  cylindrical,  ovate,  and  drooping. 


236  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

The  leaves  are  ovate-lanceolate,  gradually  narrowing  at 
the  top,  entire,  serrulate,  glabrous,  coriaceous,  and  glossy. 
This  is  adapted  to  general  cultivation  in  all  parts  of  the 
country.  L.  axillaris  takes  its  name  from  the  fact  that 
the  flowers  spring  from  the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves  or 
small  branches,  though  this  is  scarcely  a  peculiarity  of  the 
family.  They  are  white  and  much  admired,  especially  as 
they  appear  very  early,  with  their  ovate,  cylindrical  corolla 
beset  with  scaly  bracts.  The  foliage  is  oval,  pointed,  and 
marked  with  glandular  hairs  beneath,  while  the  young 
branches  are  clothed  with  powdery  down.  The  plant 
rises  from  two  to  three  feet  in  height  and  usually  blooms 
in  May.  L.  davisicz  is  a  California  species  not  much 
known  in  the  Atlantic  States.  It  is  said  to  be  one  of  the 
best  of  the  class,  having  the  usual  recurved,  white,  pendu- 
lous flowers,  and  good  foliage.  Its  hardiness  has  scarcely 
been  sufficiently  tested  to  justify  promiscuous  planting  in 
the  extreme  north  of  our  Atlantic  slope.  L.  recurva  is 
also  a  dwarf  species,  with  little  to  especially  recommend 
it  unless  a  small  plant  of  the  kind  is  wanted  for  borders 
and  rockwork.  The  flowers  are  good,  of  the  typical  color, 
and  the  branches  more  spreading  than  in  most  of  the 

other  forms. 

ALNUS— Alder. 

THE  alders,  a  genus  of  Betulacecz,  grow  chiefly  in 
moist  places  and  along  the  banks  of  brooks  and 
streams,  but  all  the  members  of  the  family  can  be 
transplanted  without  difficulty,  and  maintained  in  almost 
any  reasonably  good   soil.     The   family   embraces   about 
a  dozen  species,  six  of  which  are  natives  of  North  Amer- 


Alnus — Alder.  237 

ica.  These  appear  in  the  middle  and  northern  portions  of 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  but  seldom  or  never  within 
or  near  the  tropics.  They  constitute  an  interesting  group 
of  small  trees  or  tall  shrubs,  though  attracting  compara- 
tively little  attention.  When  growing  along  the  edges  of 
streams  they  often  do  a  valuable  service  in  protecting 
the  banks  from  washing  by  floods  or  being  carried  away 
by  constant  attrition.  They  are  said  to  be  largely  planted 
for  this  purpose  on  the  dykes  and  banks  of  canals  in  Holland 
and  other  low  countries  where  such  protection  is  needed. 
They  are  all  the  better  adapted  to  this  use  from  the  fact 
that  the  roots  do  not  extend  far,  but  grow  in  a  compact 
and  knotted  mass,  throwing  up  a  multitude  of  suckers 
near  the  original  stem. 

The  wood  is  orange-yellow,  soft,  but  exceedingly  dur- 
able under  water,  and  in  Europe,  whenever  of  sufficient 
size,  is  in  demand  for  spikes  and  posts.  It  furnishes  excel- 
lent charcoal  for  the  manufacture  of  gunpowder,  for  which 
it  has  long  been  employed.  The  bark  is  in  use  for  tan- 
ning and  dyeing,  and  produces  a  reddish  color  if  used 
alone,  and  with  the  addition  of  copperas,  a  jet  black. 
The  flowers  are  in  terminal,  imbricated  clusters,  the  male 
and  female  in  separate  catkins  on  the  same  branch  ;  the 
fertile  ones  being  hard  and  compact,  while  the  others  are 
loose  and  open,  both  hanging  long  on  the  branches.  The 
leaves  are  ovate,  slightly  lobed,  with  a  blunt  point  at  the 
extremity,  and  are  smooth  and  somewhat  glossy,  often 
with  white  dots  or  scales.  The  flowers  appear  early,  the 
ament  having  been  formed  in  autumn,  and  so  far  advanced 
as  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  first  warm  breath  of  spring. 


238  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

A.  glutinosa,  commonly  known  as  the  European  or 
black  alder,  is  a  native  of  northern  Europe,  Asia,  and 
America.  It  is  one  of  the  most  widely  known  as  well  as 
the  largest  and  best  of  the  family,  often  becoming  a 
medium-sized  tree.  It  has  somewhat  wedge-shaped  leaves 
lobed  at  the  margin,  and  almost  black  bark,  especially 
when  mature.  The  wood  is  of  an  orange  color,  and  was 
formerly  esteemed  for  the  production  of  charcoal,  and  for 
use  in  the  manufacture  of  small  articles,  as  it  is  fine-grained 
and  very  hard.  An  authority  of  fifty  years  ago  wrote  : 
"  It  is  one  of  the  ornaments  of  many  of  the  most  exquisite 
landscapes  of  England.  The  dark  green  of  its  foliage, 
and  the  still  darker  hue  of  its  bark  contrast  beautifully 
with  the  colors  of  other  trees  with  which  it  is  usually  asso- 
ciated on  the  banks  of  our  rivers."  Within  a  few  years  a 
variety  known  as  the  cut-leaved  alder,  A.  g.  imperialis 
laciniata,  has  come  into  quite  general  cultivation,  and 
is  of  deserved  popularity  among  all  who  have  become 
acquainted  with  its  excellences.  Like  its  type  it  makes 
a  finely  shaped,  pyramidal  tree  with  compact  foliage  and 
of  somewhat  rapid  growth.  The  leaves  are  finely,  not  to 
say  curiously,  divided.  It  will  thrive  almost  equally  well 
in  low,  damp  soils  or  on  the  hillsides  in  dry  land.  The 
species  known  as  A.  cordifolia  is  another  of  the  larger 
sorts.  It  is  a  native  of  Italy,  has  very  dark  green  and 
glossy  foliage,  and  is  said  to  grow  rapidly  in  dry  soils,  and 
to  be  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  ornamental  trees. 

The  smooth  alder,  A.  serridata,  is  also  valuable  for 
grouping,  for,  though  it  is  seldom  beautiful  by  itself,  it 
helps  wonderfully  by  its  rich  coloring  in  producing  the 


Chionanthus — Fringe  Tree.  239 

best  effects  on  the  lawn  when  placed  in  proper  positions 
and  intermingled  with  other  varieties.  In  the  South,  it 
sometimes  makes  a  tree  thirty  feet  high,  but  farther  north 
it  is  usually  much  smaller,  and  has  a  tendency  to  grow  in 
clumps  or  thickets. 

The  speckled  alder,  A.  incana,  grows  freely  in  New 
England.  The  younger  shoots  are  brown  and  downy, 
and  dotted  with  orange.  As  they  advance  in  age,  the 
bark  turns  to  a  bottle-green,  and  the  dots  become  almost 
white.  The  leaves  are  large,  oval,  rounded  at  the  base, 
much  the  same  as  those  of  the  other  kinds,  but  are  slightly 
more  serrate,  being  toothed  at  the  termini  of  the  principal 
veins.  They  are  four  to  five  inches  in  length,  and  three 
to  four  in  width,  standing  on  short,  stubby  footstalks. 

The  green  or  mountain  alder,  A.  viridis,  is  a  shrub  of 
but  three  to  eight  feet  in  height.  The  leaves  are  round, 
ovate,  sometimes  downy  on  the  under  side,  and  sharply 
toothed.  It  prefers  mountainous  regions,  and  seldom  suf- 
fers from  the  cold.  Like  most  of  the  others  it  withstands 
high  winds,  and  affords  excellent  protection  for  more 
tender  sorts. 

CHIONANTHUS— Fringe  Tree. 

THIS  is  a  small  genus  of  low,  spreading  trees,  of  the 
order    Oleace<z,    which   should   rank   among   the 
hardy  plants.     The    botanical    name    is    derived 
from  chion,  the  Greek  for  snow,  and  anthos,  flower ;  and 
it  is  applied  very  fittingly  because  of  the  peculiar  inflores- 
cence which  elsewhere  has  scarcely  a  parallel  in  nature. 
The  best-known  and  most  valuable  species,  C.  virgintca, 


240  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

is  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  and  perhaps  of 
other  Southern  States,  but  it  proves  hardy  in  cultivation 
as  far  north  as  New  England  and  Minnesota,  though  in 
these  extreme  limits  of  cold  it  may  always  be  well  to  give 
it  as  favorable  a  position  as  possible.  The  London  Garden 
pronounces  it  perfectly  hardy  in  England  where  it  flowers 
with  great  freedom  in  May.  It  has  also  been  introduced 
to  the  continental  gardens  and  parks,  and  is  noted  as  one 
of  the  curiosities  of  horticulture.  "  As  an  ornamental 
plant,"  says  Professor  Sargent,  "  the  American  fringe  tree 
has  much  to  recommend  it ;  it  is  possessed  of  a  vigorous 
constitution  which  enables  it  to  flourish  in  regions  of  much 
more  severe  climates  than  that  of  its  native  home  ;  its 

leaves  are  large,  abundant, 
and  excellent  in  color ;  it 
is  not  disfigured  by  insects 
or  fungous  diseases,  and 
in  May  and  June  it  is  cov- 
ered with  long,  drooping 
panicles  of  delicate  flowers 
with  elongated,  narrow, 
nearly  thread-like  pure 
white  petals." 

The  striking  peculiari- 
ties of  this  shrub  were 
observed  and  commented 

CHIONANTHUS  VIRQINICA.  i  1         t  •  1 

upon  by  the  botanists  who 

visited  this  continent  during  the  early  periods  of  its  settle- 
ment, and  found  much  that  was  new  and  at  the  same  time 
worthy  of  admiration.  Nor  did  it  escape  the  notice  of  our 


Chionanthus — Fringe  Tree.  241 

own  people  who  were  interested  in  the  study  of  the  forests 
and  fields.  As  long  ago  as  1785  the  distinguished  Hum- 
phrey Marshall,  a  botanist  as  well  as  a  statesman  and  jurist, 
wrote  concerning  it :  "  This  shrub  grows  naturally  in  sev- 
eral places  in  North  America,  in  a  moist  soil ;  rising 
to  the  height  of  fifteen  to  twenty  feet,  spreading  into 
many  branches,  and  covered  with  a  light-colored  bark. 
The  leaves  are  large,  oblong,  and  entire,  placed  nearly 
opposite.  The  flowers  are  produced  towards  the  extremity 
of  the  shoots  of  the  previous  year,  upon  short,  leafy,  com- 
mon footstalks,  at  the  bottom  of  the  leaves  of  which  the 
proper  footstalks  come  out ;  and  are  divided  for  the  most 
part  into  three  parts,  but  often  more  ;  each  sustaining  one 
small  flower  with  four  very  long,  narrow  petals,  which, 
when  well  grown,  make  a  beautiful  appearance.  These 
are  succeeded  by  oval  berries  of  a  livid  blackish  color 
when  ripe,  each  containing  one  hard,  oblong,  pointed  seed. 
The  bark  of  the  root  of  this  shrub,  bruised  and  applied  to 
fresh  wounds,  is  accounted  by  the  natives  a  specific  in 
healing  them  without  suppuration." 

About  the  only  criticism  that  has  been  noted  on  this 
remarkable  plant  is  based  upon  the  fact  that  its  leaves  do 
not  appear  until  so  late  in  spring  as  to  unfit  it  for  artistic 
grouping  with  other  sorts,  since  its  branches  are  bare  and 
apparently  dead  while  everything  about  it  is  clothed  with 
verdure.  For  this  reason  it  may  be  objectionable  where 
especial  effects  are  sought  for  that  particular  period,  and 
this  should  be  considered  in  planting.  But,  though  late 
in  coming,  the  foliage  when  fully  expanded  is  all  that  can 
be  desired.  The  leaves  are  deep  green  and  glossy,  large 


242  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  coriaceous,  and  it  may  well  be  doubted  if,  taking 
the  whole  summer  through,  anything  will  be  found  of 
superior  excellence.  And  even  the  slight  drawback  will 
not  apply  when  the  tree  appears  in  the  plantation  bor- 
der or  as  a  single  specimen,  for  which  it  has  peculiar 
adaptations. 

It  is  not  certain  that  more  than  one  other  species  of 
the  chionanthus  exists,  and  that  is  a  native  of  southern 
China  and  possibly  of  Japan,  and  is  confessedly  of  less 
value  than  our  native  tree.  C.  retusa,  for  that  is  its  name, 
is  not  only  inferior  in  size,  but  has  smaller  leaves  and 
shorter  and  less  attractive  panicles  of  flowers.  It  is  in 
cultivation  to  some  extent  in  Old  World  gardens,  and  is 
worthy  of  recognition,  though  not  a  worthy  competitor  on 
the  score  of  merit. 

LONICERA— Bush  Honeysuckle. 

THE  loniceras  are  among  the  most  useful  of  hardy 
ornamental  plants  known  to  cultivation.  The 
genus  includes  a  number  of  choice  vines  and 
climbers  as  well  as  shrubs,  mostly  natives  of  the  north 
temperate  zone  —  few  or  none  being  found  within  the 
tropics.  But  with  this  limitation  southward,  their  range 
extends  in  the  opposite  direction  well  on  towards  the 
arctic  circle.  Some  of  the  species  are  indigenous  to  Si- 
beria, northern  Russia,  Labrador,  and  the  region  about 
Hudson's  Bay  in  North  America,  and  there  is  scarcely  any 
place  where  it  is  desirable  to  plant  them,  however  inhos- 
pitable, where  they  may  not  be  expected  to  grow.  They 
constitute  a  genus  of  Caprifoliacecz,  and  the  section  known 


Lonicera — Bush  Honeysuckle.  243 

as  bush  honeysuckles,  such  as  here  described,  are  pretty 
well  represented  in  our  gardens,  though  some  equally  good 
varieties,  and  perhaps  better,  have  not  as  yet  been  brought 
to  the  notice  of  the  general  public. 

There  are  several  American  species,  mostly  small 
shrubs,  which,  though  not  so  showy  in  fruit  or  flower  as 
some  of  the  foreign  sorts,  are  worthy  of  more  general 
recognition  than  they  have  yet  received.  Professor  Gray, 
in  his  Manual  of  Botany,  describes  four  of  these  bush 
honeysuckles  as  natives  of  the  North,  and  capable  of  doing 
good  service  in  many  situations  where  especially  hardy 
plants  are  called  for.  These  are  L.  ciliata,  a  bush  of 
from  three  to  five  feet  high,  which  grows  with  spreading 
branches,  oblong  or  heart-shaped  leaves,  and  has  greenish- 
yellow  flowers  in  May.  These  are  followed  by  red  berries 
which  continue  long  on  the  branches,  and  constitute  it 
a  really  attractive  plant  for  horticultural  use  in  appro- 
priate situations.  It  is  a  native  of  dense  and  rocky  woods 
from  New  Brunswick  to  Manitoba  and  still  farther  north- 
ward. Another  is  L.  c&rulea,  a  smaller  plant  about  two 
feet  in  height,  having  upright  stems  and  branches,  oval 
leaves  downy  when  young  but  becoming  glabrous  later  on, 
and  producing  yellow  blossoms  in  great  abundance,  also 
in  early  spring.  Its  range  is  given  as  from  Labrador  to 
Minnesota,  and  southward  to  Rhode  Island.  In  this  case 
the  fruit  is  purple  and  equally  persistent.  L  involucrata 
has  oval  or  oblong  foliage,  yellow  blossoms  tinged  with 
red,  and  dark  purple  fruit.  It  makes  its  home  in  the  deep 
woods  bordering  Lake  Superior  and  beyond.  L.  oblongi- 
folia  is  a  native  of  bogs  and  swamps  of  the  same  inhos- 


244  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

pitable  region.  Its  leaves  are  two  to  five  inches  long,  and 
sharp-pointed.  The  flowers  are  yellow  and  somewhat 
viscid,  while  the  fruit  is  dark  purple  and  enduring. 

Of  the  imported  species,  the  Tartarian  honeysuckle, 
L.  tartarica,  is  best  known  and  most  largely  planted  in 
this  country.  It  is  an  erect,  deciduous  shrub  usually  five 
to  six  feet  high,  composed  of  a  cluster  of  slender  stems 
and  branches  which  may  increase  in  number  with  each 
season's  growth.  The  foliage  is  oblong-cordate,  of  rather 
dull  green,  and  in  no  way  remarkable.  The  flowers  ap- 
pear in  April  and  May,  and  are  both  abundant  and  beau- 
tiful, the  yellow  petals  being  somewhat  thickened  at  the 
base,  and  rose-tinted.  But  it  is  the  fruit  that  affords  the 
chief  attraction.  This  is  ripened  in  July  and  August,  and 
remains  until  late  autumn.  It  is  in  the  form  of  berries,  in 
most  cases  nearly  black,  but  in  some  bright  cherry-red, 
and  in  others  orange.  These  differences  are  not  of  a 
character  to  constitute  distinct  varieties,  though  doubtless 
by  proper  cultivation  they  might  be  extended  and  become 
fixed  and  permanent.  These  berries  look  as  if  they  might 
tempt  the  palate,  but  they  are  found  on  trial  to  be  inedible 
and  even  nauseous.  It  may  be  that  for  this  reason  the 
birds  allow  them  to  hang  so  long  without  interference  on 
their  part,  and  they  remain  to  enliven  the  bush  and  give 
color  to  the  garden  until  frost.  There  are  several  reco^- 

o  o 

nized  varieties,  differing  chiefly  in  the  color  of  the  fruit, 
and  not  needing  to  be  described  separately.  It  is  said 
that  in  Russia  the  horticulturists  have  been  experimenting 
with  them  for  many  years,  and  have  brought  out  some 
greatly  improved  forms,  but  they  have  not  been  given  to 


246  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  general  public.  The  species,  and,  so  far  as  known,  all 
the  varieties,  are  perfectly  hardy. 

L.  fragrantissima  has  large  white  or  pink  blossoms 
nearly  an  inch  across,  which  come  out  before  the  foliage  is 
fully  developed,  and  are  exceedingly  fragrant.  It  is  a  strong- 
growing  and  somewhat  straggling  bush  of  five  to  six  feet. 
It  came  from  China,  and  is  one  of  the  best  for  ordinary  gar- 
den planting.  The  leaves  are  so  persistent  that  it  is  some- 
times classed  as  an  evergreen,  and  in  warmer  climates  its 
flowers  are  often  borne  in  February  and  March.  L.  stand- 
ishii  differs  but  little  from  it  except  that  the  fruit  is  red. 

L.  hildebrandiana  comes  from  Burma,  and  is  the 
largest  of  known  species,  and  altogether  the  most  remark- 
able. It  is  an  evergreen  in  the  land  of  its  nativity,  but 
does  not  altogether  prove  such  in  less  genial  climates. 
General  Collet,  the  discoverer,  spoke  of  it  as  a  conspic- 
uous shrub  with  large,  glossy  leaves,  and  fine,  crimson 
flowers  seven  inches  long,  and  the  experiments  at  the  Kew 
Gardens  appear  to  substantiate  the  claim  of  superiority. 
It  is  said  to  be  much  used  in  decorating  the  temples  of  its 
native  country,  and  is  looked  upon  there  almost  with 
veneration.  It  is  not  freely  distributed  here  as  yet,  and 
can  scarcely  be  found  except  in  the  hands  of  experts  or  in 
connection  with  public  institutions. 

L.  morrowii  is  a  vigorous  shrub  of  from  four  to  six 
feet  in  height,  with  spreading  branches,  and  in  July  abun- 
dant yellow  blossoms,  followed  by  clusters  of  showy 
crimson  fruit  which  is  very  persistent,  making  a  fine  show 
in  the  garden.  One  of  its  varieties,  L.  frutea,  bears 
bright  yellow  berries,  and  is  much  showier  than  the  origi- 


Prunus — Flowering  Cherry.  247 

nal.  L.  hispida  is  somewhat  pendulous,  and  has  greenish- 
white  flowers  with  purple  fruit.  It  grows  from  two  to 
three  feet,  and  is  a  native  of  Siberia  and  south  to  central 
Asia.  L.  mackii  reaches  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  height,  and 
is  a  much-spreading  plant,  making  a  large  bush.  The 
flowers  are  white,  axillary,  with  a  funnel-shaped  tube. 
The  leaves  are  ovate-elliptic,  acuminate,  rounded  at  the 
base,  and  of  good  color  and  substance.  L.  xylosteum  is 
quite  distinct  in  its  foliage,  grows  about  five  feet  high,  and 
has  pinkish-yellow  blossoms  in  May  before  the  leaves  ap- 
pear. They  are  cream-colored,  fragrant,  and  very  pretty. 
The  fruit  is  crimson  and  of  long  continuance. 

L.  alberta,  known  popularly  as  the  Siberian  honey- 
suckle, is  a  dwarf  about  two  feet  high,  and  has  special 
claims  to  attention  where  a  plant  of  the  size  is  desired. 
The  slender  branches  have  a  drooping  tendency,  falling 
on  every  side,  and  are  clothed  with  very  narrow  leaves 
two  inches  long  and  of  a  bluish  shade.  The  blossoms, 
unlike  most  of  the  other  species,  appear  in  July  and 
August,  and,  from  a  floral  standpoint,  the  bush  is  at  its 
best  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  flowers  are  scarce. 
They  are  also  much  larger  than  on  most  other  honey- 
suckles, and  deliciously  fragrant.  The  color  is  a  pinkish- 
purple  and  very  effective. 

PRUNUS— Flowering  Cherry. 

IN  the  popular  mind,  the  cherries  are  ranked  among 
fruit  trees  rather  than  among  the  ornamental  trees. 
They  belong  to  the  order  Rosacecz  and  to  the  genus 
prunus,  and  by  some  have  been  assigned  to  a  sub-genus, 


248  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

cerasus,  under  which  they  are  generally  catalogued  by  the 
nurserymen.  The  best  authorities  are  now  disposed  to 
drop  the  latter  name  altogether,  and,  though  the  change 
may  lead  to  some  confusion  for  a  time,  it  is  so  evidently  in 
the  line  of  correct  definitions  that  it  should  be  accepted  by 
all  interested. 

The  cherries  are  mostly  natives  of  the  north  temperate 
zone,  but  are  not  altogether  unknown  in  the  tropics. 
They  are  mostly  small  trees,  though  some  are  large  enough 
to  be  valuable  for  timber,  and  others  are  mere  shrubs  and 
bushes.  Most  of  them  are  sufficiently  hardy  for  ordinary 
horticultural  purposes  throughout  the  United  States.  In 
nearly  all  the  species  the  flowers  are  white,  single,  and  are 
borne  in  early  spring.  They  are  mostly  in  umbels,  spring- 
ing from  scaly  buds  often  in  advance  of  the  appearance  of 
the  foliage.  In  some  of  the  varieties,  especially  in  the 
more  recently  introduced  Asiatic  forms,  the  flowers  are 
found  to  be  double,  and  rose-colored  or  pink.  It  is 
largely  through  these  varieties  that  the  genus  becomes 
valuable  for  ornamental  planting.  A  few  of  these  have 
been  known  for  many  years,  but  have  not  been  sufficiently 
distributed  to  afford  an  opportunity  to  the  general  public 
to  appreciate  their  value.  All  cherry  blossoms  are  beau- 
tiful, and  these  later  improvements  are  especially  so. 

One  of  the  oldest  species  in  use  in  this  country  is  what 
is  known  as  the  bird  cherry,  P.  padus,  which  is  a  native  of 
Europe  and  Asia,  growing  to  a  height  of  twenty  feet,  of 
large  spreading  habit,  and  clothed  in  May  with  a  great 
abundance  of  white,  single  flowers.  These  are  followed 
by  black  berries  ripening  in  autumn,  and  to  some  extent 


Primus — Flowering  Cherry. 


249 


in  use  for  domestic  purposes.  Whether  in  flower  or  fruit, 
this  variety  is  always  ornamental,  and  may  be  largely 
planted  to  advantage.  It  can  also  be  grown  in  bush  form 
as  it  often  is  where  a  smaller  form  is  desired.  P.  pennsyl- 
vanica  is  the  American  wild  red  cherry,  and  more  nearly 
resembles  the  European  species  than  any  other  of  our  native 
sorts.  It  is  especially 
noted  for  its  reddish 
bark,  and  the  red  fruit 
which  is  very  promi- 
nent in  autumn.  The 
flowers  are  white,  and 
so  numerous  as  to 
completely  cover  the 
tree,  but  do  not  con- 
tinue very  long  in 
their  perfection.  It 
is  distributed  in  New- 
foundland, and  the 
Hudson's  Bay  region, 
and  throughout  the 
Northwest,  and  was 
introduced  to  Eng- 
lish gardens  as  early  as  1773,  where  it  is  still  in  use  as 
well  as  on  the  continent.  P.  serotina  is  another  American 
species  of  about  the  same  height,  and  is  a  well-known 
wild  cherry,  having  white  flowers  in  May  and  black  fruit  in 
August.  P.  virginiana,  commonly  known  as  the  Ameri- 
can choke-cherry,  is  very  much  like  the  European  bird 
cherry  in  its  general  character,  though  not  so  tall  a 


DOUBLE-FLOWERING   CHERRY. 


250  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

grower.  It  makes  a  good  show  in  the  border.  P.  avium 
alba  plena  is  one  of  the  interesting  varieties  which  differs 
from  the  established  type  in  producing  double  flowers  that 
are  pure  white,  very  large,  and  so  numerous  as  to  cover 
almost  the  entire  branches  in  May  before  the  foliage  has 
become  fully  developed.  It  rises  from  twenty  to  twenty- 
five  feet  in  height,  with  a  somewhat  spreading  head,  and 
in  good  form.  P.  pumila  pendula  is  a  unique  form,  and 
makes  a  twiggy  growth,  and  when  rightly  cultivated  con- 
stitutes an  attractive  shrub  the  season  through.  It  grows 
from  six  to  eight  feet  high,  and  the  numerous  white 
flowers  are  followed  by  bright  red,  acid  fruit.  For  use  to 
the  best  advantage  it  should  be  grafted  on  taller  stems 
than  are  natural  to  it,  when  its  branches  fall  gracefully  but 
not  to  the  ground. 

P.  sinensis  flora  plena. — This  is  one  of  the  finest  double- 
flowering  cherries  known.  The  tree  is  a  native  of  China, 
and  grows  to  a  height  of  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  feet 
in  good  form,  and  is  noted  for  its  large  white  flowers,  re- 
sembling miniature  roses,  which  appear  in  great  numbers 
along  the  stems  and  branches.  This  was  the  first  of  the 
Asiatic  double-flowering  species  brought  to  this  country, 
and  so  has  been  in  cultivation  here  longer  than  the 
others.  It  proves  reasonably  hardy,  though  not  an 
especially  long-lived  tree.  P.  ranunculiflora  is  another 
upright-growing  cherry,  having  double  white  flowers 
which  appear  later  in  the  season  than  most  of  the  others 
of  its  class.  It  rises  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet. 

But  perhaps  the  finest  ornamental  cherries  of  all  come 
from  Japan.     Some  have  already  been  introduced,  though 


Prunus — Flowering  Cherry. 


251 


sparingly,  in  our  gardens,  where  they  command  universal 
admiration.  No  people  in  the  world  take  such  interest  in 
cherry  culture  as  do  the  Japanese.  The  bursting  of  the 
cherry  blossoms  fills  the  souls  of  the  people  with  delight, 
for  of  all  flowers  these  are  by  them  esteemed  the  most 
beautiful.  They  celebrate  the  occasion  with  great  enthu- 


CHINESE    DOUBLE-FLOWERING    CHERRY. 


siasm,  and  give  themselves  up  fully  to  the  enjoyment  of 
the  beauties  of  nature.  Professor  C.  C.  Georgesen,  a 
gentleman  familiar  with  Japanese  customs,  and  who  had 
been  present  and  participated  in  these  festivities  on  more 
than  one  occasion,  wrote  some  years  ago  in  one  of  our 
magazines  as  follows : 

"  All  classes  of  society,  from  the  Emperor  to  the  coolie, 


252  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

rich  and  poor,  old  and  young,  all  are  enthusiastic  ad- 
mirers of  the  cherry  flowers.  The  trees  are  planted  in 
groups  in  the  parks,  in  temple  groves,  in  avenues  lining 
many  of  the  principal  streets  and  roads,  singly  and  in 
clusters  in  the  gardens  and  yards  about  dwellings ;  they 
are  dwarfed  and  grown  in  pots  of  all  sizes,  and  trained  in 
many  forms  and  with  pendulous  branches;  they  are 
favorite  objects  with  artists  for  conventional  representation 
in  paint,  in  lacquer,  in  metal — everywhere.  Both  in  nature 
and  art,  one  finds  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  innate 
love  which  the  people  have  for  this  flower.  The  trees 
bloom  during  the  balmy  month  of  April,  when  the  raw 
and  chilly  winds  of  winter  have  given  place  to  the  warmth 
and  calm  of  cheery  spring,  and  all  nature  leaps  into 
renewed  life. 

"  Invited  by  the  irresistible  charms  of  nature,  the  people 
collect  in  gayly  dressed  throngs  under  the  pink  clouds  of 
cherry  blossoms,  and  there  abandon  themselves  to  jest 
and  merrymaking.  In  Tokio,  Ueno  Park  and  the  street 
called  Mokojima  are  especially  renowned  for  the  charm  of 
their  cherry  blossoms,  and  on  pleasant  days  these  places 
are  visited  by  tens  of  thousands  of  people  who  have 
banished  care  and  are  bent  solely  on  enjoyment,  and  they 
form,  perhaps,  the  happiest  collection  of  humanity  that 
the  world  ever  sees.  It  is  a  motley  but  always  good- 
natured  and  orderly  throng.  The  grave  savant,  the  spec- 
tacled student,  the  flushed  and  prosperous  merchant,  the 
careworn  poor,  the  decorous  matron,  giggling  maidens 
and  hilarious  children — all  are  there,  with  laughing  faces 
and  in  holiday  attire.  The  cherry  blossoms  also  usher  in 


$$$ 


253 


JAPAN  WEEPING  CHERRY. 


254  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

a  series  of  private  festivals  which  ministers  of  state,  and 
the  mighty  in  the  land  who  glory  in  the  possession  of 
cherry  groves,  give  to  their  friends.  Even  his  Imperial 
Majesty,  the  Mikado,  called  by  his  subjects  O'Tenshi, 
the  Son  of  Heaven,  is  affected  by  the  general  impulse  the 
blossoms  impart,  and  issues  a  mandate  to  the  effect  that 
on  a  certain  day,  if  it  does  not  rain,  he  and  the  Empress 
will  give  a  cherry-blossom  festival  in  one  of  the  imperial 
parks.  Large,  handsome  cards  inviting  the  guests  are 
issued  several  days  beforehand.  The  guests  comprise 
all  high  officials  of  the  government  down  to  a  certain  rank, 
the  corps  diplomatique,  foreign  employees  of  the  govern- 
ment at  the  capital  who  receive  a  salary  of  three  hundred 
yen  or  more  per  month,  high  officers  of  the  army  and 
navy,  and  representative  officers  of  foreign  war  vessels 
which  happen  to  be  in  the  Yokohama  harbor.  The  writer 
had  the  honor  of  attending  three  of  these  parties,  and  can 
therefore  speak  from  personal  observation." 

Of  these  Japanese  forms  the  following  are  described 
as  most  interesting  :  Prunus  pseudo-cerasus  in  its  native 
country  is  said  to  form  a  large  tree  which  grows  wild  in 
the  forests  of  northern  Japan  and  on  the  mountains  of  the 
south.  It  is  described  as  somewhat  resembling  our  sweet 
cherry  trees  in  growth  and  appearance,  but  differs  from 
them  largely  in  its  flowers  and  fruit.  The  wood  is  hard 
and  fine-grained,  and  in  general  use  for  carvings  and  cab- 
inet making.  It  has  been  a  favorite  ornamental  tree  with 
the  Japanese  from  time  immemorial,  and  through  its  long- 
continued  cultivation  a  great  number  of  flowering  varieties 
have  originated.  Some  of  these  newer  forms  are  upright 


Prunus — Flowering  Cherry.  255 

and  stiff  in  habit,  while  others  are  spreading,  short-jointed, 
and  crabby,  and  still  others  have  willowy  shoots  which 
lend  themselves  to  various  forms  in  which  dwarf  and  pot- 
grown  specimens  are  often  seen.  Professor  Georgesen  says 
that,  as  a  rule,  the  earliest  varieties  in  bloom  are  single, 
and  the  large  and  double  flowers  the  latest  to  appear  and 
remain  the  longest,  though  there  are  some  notable  excep- 
tions to  this.  The  flower  and  the  leaf  start  at  about  the 
same  time,  but  the  leaf  grows  slowly  at  first,  and  the  trees 
do  not  get  green  till  about  the  time  the  flowers  perish. 
These  are  mostly  white  and  are  quite  large,  appearing  the 
latter  part  of  April,  and  holding  on  well  into  May.  Though 
there  are  numerous  varieties  in  cultivation,  all  of  them 
are  charming  and  much  admired  by  foreigners  as  well  as 
natives.  There  has  been  some  question  as  to  how  far 
north  these  plants  may  be  cultivated  with  success,  which 
is  a  question  of  much  importance.  Mr.  J.  G.  Jack,  having 
experimented  with  some  of  the  varieties  at  the  Arnold 
Arboretum,  finds  that  they  can  be  grown  safely  in  the 
New  England  climate,  at  least  in  the  region  of  Boston. 
But  it  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  they  will  succeed  better 
in  the  southern  Middle  Stages  and  in  the  West.  There  is 
some  question  whether  all  varieties  ascribed  to  this 
parentage  are  genuine  offshoots. 

Of  the  single-flowering  varieties,  what  is  known  in 
Japan  as  the  kanzan  produces  a  plain  white  blossom  which 
is  very  fragrant  and,  in  that  respect,  an  exception  to  the 
general  rule.  It  is  also  an  abundant  bloomer,  the  flowers 
being  very  late  and  persistent.  It  has  been  grown  in 
this  country  sufficiently  to  prove  that  it  is  adapted  to  our 


256  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

climate  and  conditions.  The  tree  is  bushy,  spreading  in 
habit,  and  has  small  leaves  and  slender  twigs.  There  are 
several  other  single-flowering  sorts,  such  as  nioi-sakura, 
which  has  blush  flowers,  sweet-scented  like  the  foregoing, 
and  appearing  later,  thus  helping  out  the  cherry  season. 
Jishiu  is  reckoned  a  single-flowered  plant  but  has  a  ten- 
dency to  become  double.  The  flowers  are  blush,  and 
spread  wide  open,  showing  numerous  long  red  stamens 
with  yellow  anthers.  It,  too,  is  a  profuse  bloomer. 
Koma-tome  has  a  very  large,  pure-white  flower  with  broad 
petals  and  numerous  long,  showy  stamens.  The  flower 
stems  are  also  long,  panicled,  or  branched.  It  is  an  early 
bloomer. 

Of  the  double-flowering  sorts,  there  is  a  long  list  from 
which  it  is  almost  impossible  to  make  satisfactory  selec- 
tions because  of  their  uniform  merit.  Among  them  is 
fuzan-fukan,  the  flowers  of  which  are  double,  reddish- 
pink  in  color,  almost  globular  in  shape,  and  continue  to 
bloom  until  late  in  May.  Botan-sakura  has  reddish 
flowers,  very  large  and  double,  at  their  best  in  the  latter 
part  of  April.  Ko-fugen  is  said  to  be  the  largest-flowering 
sort  among  the  cherries.  The  blossoms  often  measure 
two  inches  or  more  in  diameter,  and  are  very  double  and 
very  late,  the  color  reddish-pink,  growing  lighter  with  age. 
Kode-maru  is  peculiar,  as  the  flowers  appear  in  very  dense 
clusters  at  intervals  upon  the  branches,  and  being  short- 
stemmed  they  are  crowded  into  balls  which  give  the  tree 
an  unique  appearance.  In  color  they  are  light  pink,  the 
petals  narrow  and  only  moderately  double.  Yo-kihi  has 
very  large  and  very  double  flowers,  color  pink.  The 


Prunus — Flowering  Almond.  257 

flower  stems  are  short,  but  the  blossoms  are  scattered  and 
do  not  form  balls  like  the  preceding.  It  continues  to 
bloom  till  late  in  May.  Giyo-iko  is  remarkable  in  that 
the  flowers  are  of  a  clear,  light  green  color  when  they 
expand,  and  gradually  become  tipped  with  a  pinkish 
tinge.  They  are  very  large,  and  often  panicled  in  long 
stems.  The  branches  of  the  tree  are  slender  and  ram- 
bling. Fugen-zo,  a  popular  variety,  has  very  double 
rose-blush  flowers  on  long  stems,  and  is  a  prolific  and 
long-continued  bloomer.  It  is  one  of  the  handsomest 
kinds  to  be  found  in  Japan,  and  is  planted  perhaps  more 
generally  than  any  other. 

This  list  could  be  much  extended,  but  these  include  the 
best  varieties.  "  There  can  be  no  doubt,"  says  Professor 
Georgesen,  "  that  these  cherries  will  do  as  well  here 
in  almost  any  part  of  America  as  they  do  in  their  native 
country,  and  as  ornamental  trees  for  the  lawns  and  road- 
sides they  will,  while  in  bloom,  surpass  in  beauty  anything 
that  we  now  have  that  blooms  in  early  spring.  Once 
before  the  public  they  will  not  lack  appreciation." 

PRUNUS— Flowering  Almond. 

P.  amygdalus,  popularly  known  as  the  flowering  almond, 
usually  appears  in  the  nurserymen's  catalogue  under  the 
head  of  amygdalus,  but  as  it  really  constitutes  only  a 
sub-genus,  or  perhaps  a  group  with  the  somewhat  dis- 
tinct peculiarities  of  prunus,  it  is  well  to  conform  to  the 
true  classification,  and  to  count  the  almond  as  a  species 
of  that  genus,  as  is  now  done  by  many  of  our  best 

horticulturists  and  by  nearly  all  the  best  botanists.     The 

17 


258  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

varieties  will  doubtless  be  known  as  almonds  to  the  gen- 
eral public,  and  with  good  reason.  The  group  is  closely 
connected  with  the  peaches,  apricots,  and  nectarines,  and 
in  cultivation  is  subject  to  much  the  same  conditions. 

The  common  or  wild  almond  grows  from  twenty  to 
thirty  feet  high,  and  has  light  rose -colored  blossoms, 
followed  by  fruit  that  is  highly  esteemed  throughout  the 
civilized  world,  and  that  calls  for  no  description  here.  It 
has  been  in  cultivation  from  time  immemorial,  and  is  yet 
found  growing  wild  in  northern  Africa  where  almond 
groves,  and  even  forests,  still  exist,  especially  in  some 
of  the  Barbary  States.  From  such  as  these  the  ornamental 
almonds  and  those  of  improved  fruitage  have  doubtless 
sprung.  While  the  type  is  not  especially  showy,  the  advance 
through  cultivation  is  such  that  in  1892  the  London  Gar- 
den was  led  to  say  :  "  Of  all  the  hardy,  early  flowering 
trees  in  the  British  Islands,  perhaps  the  almonds  are  the 
most  valuable  from  the  point  of  view  of  ornamentation. 
In  March  and  April  no  other  tree  produces  such  fine  effects 
in  the  garden  or  park — at  any  rate  in  the  southern  counties 
of  England."  Since  this  was  written  several  new  varieties 
have  appeared,  superior  to  any  then  in  cultivation. 

P.  japonica  alba  plena  is  one  of  the  showiest  sorts.  It 
is  of  dwarf  habit,  and  has  an  abundance  of  beautiful 
double  white  flowers,  and  is  occasionally  found  in  our 
northern  gardens  under  the  old  name  of  flowering  al- 
mond. It  is  capable  of  larger  use  in  that  section,  and  is 
very  desirable  farther  south.  Its  companion  plant,  P. 
japonica  rubra  plena,  is  much  the  same  except  that  its 
blossoms  are  red  or  rose-colored.  They  are  very  abun- 


Prunus — Flowering-  Peach. 


259 


dant,  and  extend  along  the  slender  branches  and  twigs  in 
advance  of  the  foliage. 

PRUNUS— Flowering  Peach. 

ACCORDING  to  tradition  the  peach,  Prunus  per- 
sica,  came  from  Persia,  and  so  it  is  credited  to 
that  country,  though  the  place  of  its  real  origin 
is  unsettled.       It  was  formerly  given  the  distinction  of  a 


DOUBLE-FLOWERINQ    PEACH. 


separate  genus,  but  is  now  held  to  be  simply  a  species  of 
prunus  along  with  the  almonds  and  plums.    It  is  prized  as 


260  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

one  of  the  most  valuable  fruit-bearing  trees  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  has  thrown  off  a  few  double-flowering  varieties 
with  blossoms  marked  by  a  beauty  and  delicacy  not  often 
surpassed.  That  known  as  P.  persica  alba  plena  is  very 
conspicuous,  producing  large  double  white  flowers  at  the 
usual  time  of  peach  flowering.  They  appear  in  great  pro- 
fusion, and  while  they  continue  are  always  objects  of  ad- 
miration. This  is  heightened  when  the  tree  is  planted  in 
groups  with  others  of  the  same  character,  such  as  P.  rosea 
plena,  with  its  double,  rich  rose-colored  flowers  ;  P.  san- 
guinea,  which  is  much  the  same  except  that  the  inflores- 
cence is  more  a  blood-red  ;  and  P.  versicolor  plena,  having 
flowers  red  and  white,  variously  marked  on  the  same  tree. 
Such  a  collection  on  the  lawn  or  in  the  border,  in  front  of 
other  shrubs  and  trees,  can  scarcely  be  equalled  in  beauty 
and  interest.  There  is  also  a  charming  purple-leaved 
variety  of  P.  persica  with  foliage  deep  blood-red  in  spring, 
and  becoming  purple  in  summer. 

P.  davidiana  is  a  comparatively  new  plant  in  general 
cultivation.  It  is  of  Chinese  origin,  though  found  later  in 
Japan  and  some  other  eastern  countries,  and  was  first 
brought  to  the  especial  attention  of  the  botanists  by  Abbe 
David,  from  whom  it  takes  its  name.  The  plant  resembles 
the  peach  and  apricot  in  its  habit  of  growth,  and  may  well 
be  counted  a  member  of  the  same  branch  of  the  prunus 
family.  It  is  usually  trained  in  bush  form  with  slender 
branches,  and  it  is  on  those  of  the  previous  season's 
growth  that  the  flowers  are  produced.  They  come  in  very 
early  spring,  are  nearly  or  quite  sessile,  and  in  the  greatest 
possible  profusion,  pink  and  white,  double,  and  slightly 


Primus — Flowering  Plum.  261 

fragrant.  When  at  the  best  this  is  a  most  attractive  shrub 
or  tree,  and  it  is  certain  to  become  a  favorite.  It  is 
reasonably  hardy  in  the  Northern  States,  though  it  is  well 
to  give  it  slight  protection.  The  peach  blossom  is  short- 
lived, as  are  most  fruit  blossoms,  and  the  wise  planter 
will  have  regard  to  this  fact  from  the  beginning. 

PRUNUS— Flowering  Plum. 

P.  maritima,  known  as  the  beach  plum,  is  a  somewhat 
common  shrub  along  the  Atlantic  seacoast,  and  is  worthy 
of  more  attention  than  it  ordinarily  receives.  It  is  found 
in  several  varieties  differing  little  and  in  unimportant  par- 
ticulars. As  seen  growing  among  the  sand-heaps  along 
the  shores,  it  is  often  a  mere  straggling  bush  three  to  four 
feet  high,  and  without  form  or  comeliness,  but  when  trans- 
ferred to  better  soils,  and  given  proper  care,  it  not  infre- 
quently rises  to  a  height  of  eight  feet.  Under  cultivation 
it  becomes  a  shapely  and  useful  shrub,  and  is  abundant  in 
fruitage,  which  by  some  is  highly  esteemed.  The  stem  is 
almost  black,  sometimes  erect  and  sometimes  prostrate, 
and  with  ash-colored  dots.  The  branches  are  stiff,  often 
dotted  with  orange,  while  the  leaves  are  closely  set,  and 
are  covered  with  a  soft  down.  The  blossoms  come  in  ad- 
vance of  the  foliage,  and,  though  having  no  especial 
beauty,  are  interesting. 

The  chief  virtue  of  this  plant,  however,  is  its  adapta- 
tion to  inhospitable  situations,  and  its  power  of  endurance 
where  others  fail.  Whatever  else  may  be  said  in  its  favor, 
it  stands  pre-eminent  as  a  nurse  plant  in  the  peculiar  posi- 
tions where  it  is  able  to  thrive.  In  shore  planting  one 


262  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

may  begin  almost  at  the  water's  edge,  and  follow  with 
more  desirable  plants  suited  to  such  localities  though  in  a 
less  degree,  and  thus  proceed  until  the  most  barren  situa- 
tions can  be  covered  with  herbage  and  made  attractive. 
The  beach  plum  answers  for  this  good  purpose  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  inland  lakes  as  well  as  near  the  salt  water, 
and,  indeed,  in  exposed  and  sandy  situations  everywhere. 

P.  pissardii  is  understood  to  have  come  from  Persia, 
and  is  sometimes  known  as  the  purple-leaved  Persian  plum. 
It  is  a  somewhat  recent  introduction  to  American  gardens, 
but  is  already  widely  distributed,  and  universally  popular, 
though  its  blossoms  are  quite  inconspicuous,  and  of  little 
ornamental  worth.  It  is  prized  chiefly  as  a  small  tree  or 
shrub,  and  has  both  colored  bark  and  foliage.  Perhaps  in 
this  respect  it  is  without  a  rival  in  its  class.  In  springtime 
the  bark  on  the  new  growths  is  deep  purple,  and  the 
bursting  leaves  as  they  come  from  the  buds  are  violet- 
crimson.  As  they  mature  they  take  on  a  darker  hue, 
equal  to  that  of  the  finest  of  the  purple  beeches,  and  this 
they  hold  during  the  entire  summer.  Most  trees  and 
shrubs  with  such  distinct  foliage  fade  under  the  influence 
of  the  sun's  hot  rays,  and  become  dingy,  but  such  is  not 
the  case  here.  The  flowers  are  small  and  single,  and  the 
fruit,  which  ripens  in  early  autumn,  is  correspondingly 
inferior,  and  is  scarcely  visible  as  it  is  of  the  same  color 
as  the  leaves. 

P.  triloba,  a  Chinese  shrub  with  three-lobed  leaves  and 
somewhat  spreading  branches,  only  needs  to  be  known  in 
order  to  be  admired.  It  proves  well  adapted  alike  to 
North  and  South,  and  thrives  in  a  much  wider  climatic 


264  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

range  than  do  most  other  varieties,  and  is  not  fastidious  as 
to  soils  and  situations.  It  grows  from  four  to  six  feet  in 
height,  with  numerous  slender  branches  which  in  early 
spring,  before  the  foliage  appears,  are  covered  from  end 
to  end  with  double,  light  pink  blossoms  about  an  inch 
across,  completely  covering  the  whole  bush.  These  come 
in  May  as  far  north  as  New  England,  sometimes  breaking 
out  in  March  among  the  first  harbingers  of  the  summer. 

P.  watsonii  is  the  sand  plum  so  well  known  in  some 
sections  of  the  middle  West,  where  it  thrives  in  thickets  on 
low,  sandy  soils  near  running  streams  and  stagnant  water. 
It  is  a  low,  rather  irregular-growing  shrub  with  zigzag 
branches  and  almost  spinose  branchlets.  The  bark  is 
inclined  to  a  reddish  hue,  especially  when  the  plants  are 
young.  The  flowers  appear  in  May,  are  white  and  very 
fragrant,  and  produced  in  such  profusion  as  to  cover  all 
the  branches.  They  are  followed  by  abundant  fruit  which 
hangs  long,  is  nearly  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  is  edible. 
As  the  shrub  grows  from  five  to  ten  feet  in  height,  its 
value  cannot  well  be  overestimated  in  the  section  to  which 
it  is  indigenous,  and  it  may  prove  of  great  service  in 
similar  locations.  It  appears  to  be  perfectly  hardy,  and 
has  a  field  for  usefulness  and  also  as  an  ornamental  plant 
throughout  the  West. 

CARAGANA— Siberian  Pea  Tree. 

THE  caraganas  constitute  a  small  class  of  ornamental 
shrubs,    not   very   widely   known    in    cultivation, 
which  are  both  curious  and  interesting.     There 
are  several  species  and  varieties  that  are  worthy  of  a  place 


Caragana — Siberian  Pea  Tree.  265 

in  the  garden  or  border  wherever  a  plant  of  their  propor- 
tions is  desired.  Most  of  them  prove  sufficiently  hardy 
to  withstand  our  northern  winters,  and  so  adapt  them- 
selves to  a  large  extent  of  country.  So  far  as  known 
none  of  them  is  indigenous  to  America,  though  most  of 
them  appear  to  be  much  at  home  among  us.  They  are 
all  easily  grown,  and  not  especially  particular  as  to  soils 
and  situations. 

C.  arborescens. — This  is  a  native  of  Siberia,  and  is  the 
species  longest  and  best  known  in  America,  and  under 
favorable  circumstances  grows  to  a  height  of  fifteen  to 
twenty  feet.  The  foliage  is  compound,  consisting  of  four 
to  six  pairs  of  leaflets  of  good  color  which  remain  through 
the  season.  The  flowrers  are  pale  yellow,  and  very  numer- 
ous, so  that  when  in  blossom  the  little  tree  somewhat 
resembles  the  viburnum.  These  appear  in  April  or  May. 
There  is  a  pendulous  form  of  much  smaller  growth,  and, 
when  height  is  desired,  it  can  be  grafted  on  taller  stems 
with  good  results,  as  the  smaller  branches  fall  gracefully 
to  the  ground  on  every  side. 

C.  altagana  is  but  a  small  shrub,  two  to  four  feet  high, 
with  six  to  eight  pairs  of  leaflets  which  are  glabrous  and 
nearly  round.  Its  blossoms  are  also  yellow.  C.  chamlagu 
is  a  native  of  China,  and  differs  but  little  from  the  above 
except  that  its  flowers  appear  in  June  and  are  first  golden 
and  then  red.  C.  frutescens  is  another  native  of  Siberia, 
and  has  deep  golden-yellow  pea-shaped  flowers  in  great 
abundance,  appearing  in  May  and  June.  It  is  usually 
two  to  four  feet  in  height,  and  is  one  of  the  most  valu- 
able of  its  class.  C.  spinosa  is  also  a  Siberian  plant, 


266  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

growing  from  four  to  six  feet  high,  with  yellow  blossoms  in 
great  abundance.  This  is  pronounced,  on  account  of  its 
long  branches  and  strong  thorns,  a  most  excellent  shrub 
for  forming  impenetrable  hedges.  It  is  especially  adapted 
to  sandy  soils  and  to  grafting  on  C.  arborescens  when  a 
taller  plant  is  desired. 

EL^EAGNUS. 

THE  elaeagnus  is  the  typical  species  of  the  natural 
order  Elczagnacecz,  and  constitutes  an  interest- 
ing family  of  deciduous  and  evergreen  shrubs, 
mostly  small  trees,  which  are  now  coming  into  quite 
general  use  in  ornamental  planting.  Special  attention 
has  been  called  to  this  group  within  the  past  few  years 
through  the  introduction  of  several  new  varieties  from  the 
Orient,  though  one  or  two  of  the  American  species  are 
possessed  of  valuable  qualities,  and  are  not  to  be  over- 
looked. Nearly  all  have  proved  themselves  hardy 
throughout  the  north  temperate  zone,  while  in  the 
southern  portion  of  the  United  States  some  of  them  are 
nearly  or  quite  evergreen. 

E.  longipes  is  a  Japanese  species,  and  may  undoubt- 
edly be  counted  one  of  the  best  yet  known  to  cultivation. 
It  grows  from  three  to  five  feet  in  height,  with  numerous 
slender  branches  which  are  covered  with  brown,  rusty 
scales,  but  are  not  such  as  to  give  it  an  offensive  appear- 
ance. Professor  Sargent,  who  saw  it  in  Japan,  says  that 
in  old  age  it  there  attains  a  height  of  from  twenty  to 
twenty-five  feet,  and  forms  a  stout  trunk  a  foot  in  diame- 
ter. The  leaves  are  thick,  dark  green  above  and  silvery- 


268  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

white  beneath.  The  flowers  are  rather  inconspicuous, 
but  the  fruit  is  showy  and  ornamental.  It  is  borne  on 
long  stalks,  and  is  bright  red  covered  with  small  white 
dots.  It  hangs  long  on  the  stem,  and  affords  a  beautiful 
contrast  to  the  coloring  of  the  foliage.  This  elaeagnus 
may  well  be  grown  for  the  fruit  alone,  as  it  is  juicy  and 
edible,  having  a  sharp,  pungent,  and  agreeable  flavor. 
Though  all  persons  do  not  enjoy  the  taste,  some  esteem 
it  preferable  to  that  of  the  currant  or  gooseberry.  In 
France  it  is  used  for  preserving,  and  is  highly  appreciated. 
The  plant  is  sure  to  prove  a  valuable  acquisition  and  to 
come  into  more  general  use.  So  far  as  tested  the  shrub 
is  found  perfectly  hardy  as  far  north  as  New  England, 
and  even  Canada. 

E.  canadensis  is  a  native  of  America,  and  in  some 
sections  is  popularly  known  as  the  Missouri  silver-tree. 
It  grows  to  the  height  of  eight  or  ten  feet,  often  throwing 
out  an  abundance  of  suckers.  The  leaves  are  oblong, 
sharp-pointed,  and  silvery-white  both  above  and  beneath, 
contrasting  strongly  with  the  yellow  flowers  which  appear 
in  July  and  August.  These  are  followed  by  roundish, 
ovate  fruit,  ribbed  and  covered  with  white  scales.  The 
flowers  are  fragrant,  and  the  fruit,  though  dry  and  mealy, 
is  esteemed  by  many. 

E.  angustifolia  is  a  native  of  southeastern  Europe  and 
western  Asia,  and  is  the  veritable  wild  olive  of  the  classic 
authors.  It  is  often  in  modern  times  called  the  Jerusalem 
willow,  though  it  is  not  a  willow  at  all.  The  flowers 
are  yellow,  appear  in  midsummer,  and  the  oblong,  light- 
colored  fruit  is  common  in  the  markets  of  the  East. 


270  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

George  Nicholson  says:  "  Under  cultivation  I  have  seen 
this  thrive  in  a  dry,  hungry,  sandy  soil,  and  attain 
tree-like  proportions,  with  a  stem  as  much  as  a  foot  in 
diameter.  This  deciduous  species  is  capable  of  being 
turned  to  good  account  by  the  landscape  gardener." 
E.  hortensis  is  a  native  of  mid-Asia,  where  it  grows  freely 
on  the  mountains,  often  at  an  elevation  of  three  thou- 
sand feet  and  upwards.  It  is  there  largely  cultivated 
by  the  natives  in  orchards,  for  its  fruit.  It  is  scarcely 
known  in  this  country,  but  might  possibly  be  introduced  to 
advantage.  A  report  from  South  Dakota  is  to  the  effect 
that  it  flourishes  in  that  section,  where  the  thermometer 
sometimes  registers  thirty  degrees  below  zero,  and  where 
the  annual  rainfall  does  not  exceed  twenty-two  inches. 
The  foliage  is  late  in  breaking  out,  so  that  it  escapes  late 
frosts,  and  the  roots  go  deeply  into  the  earth,  thus  en- 
abling it  to  withstand  periods  when  the  rainfall  is  so 
light  that  many  other  sorts  fail.  It  may  be  used  for  low 
hedges,  as  the  lower  branches  are  well  preserved,  thus 
constituting  an  effective  windbreak. 

E.  umbellatus  has  sometimes  by  nurserymen  and  others 
been  confounded  with  E.  longipes,  and  sold  as  such  ;  but 
it  is  not  the  same.  The  foliage  differs  but  slightly  from 
that  of  the  type,  having  the  silvery  cast,  but  the  fruit  is 
the  color  of  amber  and  speckled  with  white,  and  if  possible  is 
still  more  abundant.  It  is  about  the  size  of  a  large  currant, 
and  fully  as  valuable.  When  first  ripened  it  is  quite  acid 
to  the  taste,  but  a  little  later  it  becomes  sweet  and  mellow. 
Those  who  know  it  best  speak  highly  of  its  value  for 
cooking  purposes,  and  it  is  likely  to  come  into  common 


Elaeagnus.  271 

use  as  soon  as  its  merits  are  fully  appreciated.      Very  few 
shrubs  are  more  beautiful  on  the  lawn  or  in  the  border, 


EL>EQANUS    UMBELLATUS. 


especially  in  autumn  ;  and  as  its  fruit  ripens  in  November, 
when  berries  of  all  kinds  are  scarce,  this  is  certain  to  serve 
a  good  purpose  in  supplying  the  deficiency. 

E.  macropkylla  is  quite  distinct  from  either  of  those 
named,  and,  in  fact,  from  almost  any  other  shrub  known 
to  cultivation,  and  capable  of  serving  a  useful  purpose  in 
the  garden  or  shrubbery.  It  is  said  that  English  garden- 
ers are  now  making  free  use  of  it  whenever  it  can  be 
procured,  but  it  has  been  so  recently  introduced  that  the 
market  supplies  are  limited.  It  is  an  evergreen  species 
with  large  round  leaves  light  gray  on  the  upper  surface 
and  nearly  pure  white  beneath.  The  flowers  are  greenish- 
yellow,  appearing  in  clusters  of  considerable  size  in  early 


272  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

autumn.  It  is  not  known  that  the  fruit  is  of  especial 
value,  or  that  it  is  perfectly  hardy  in  the  Northern  States. 
E.  simoni  is  another  of  the  Chinese  sorts,  less  ornamental 
than  several  of  the  others,  but  has  thrown  off  a  variety 
with  colored  foliage  of  great  beauty.  In  this  the  leaves 
are  margined  with  dark  green,  have  golden-yellow  centres 
shaded  into  brown,  and  maintain  these  peculiarities  almost 
the  entire  season.  This  variety  is  said  to  have  originated 
in  Belgium,  where  it  is  looked  upon  as  a  most  valuable 
acquisition.  It  is  doubtful  if  it  has  yet  been  introduced 
to  American  gardens,  but  in  the  South  it  would  assuredly 
prove  a  success. 

There  are  several  other  evergreen  species,  classified  as 
E.  glabra,  E.  pungens,  and  E.  reflexa,  which  so  closely  re- 
semble each  other  as  scarcely  to  be  entitled  to  a  separate 
description  in  a  work  of  this  kind.  These  are  all  small 
shrubs,  six  to  ten  feet,  and  have  variegated  forms  of  great 
beauty,  and  are  especially  adapted  to  planting  in  the 
Middle  and  Southern  States,  as  their  hardiness  may  not 
be  sufficient  to  endure  the  rigor  of  climatic  conditions  in 
New  England  and  the  Northwest. 

CAMELLIA. 

THIS   is  a  genus  of  elegant  and  most  interesting 
plants  suitable  to  southern  cultivation  only.      It 
belongs  to  the  order   Ternstrcemiacecz,  and  was 
named  in  honor  of  a  Jesuit  missionary  by  the  name  of 
Camellus,  who  wrote  a  history  of  the  plants  of  Luzon  and 
some  others  of  the  Philippine  Islands  during  the  last  cen- 
tury.    Most   of   the   species   are  tropical  or  sub-tropical 


Camellia.  273 

plants,  though  several  are  sufficiently  hardy  for  out-of- 
door  cultivation  in  or  near  the  Gulf  States,  where  they  are 
coming  to  be  more  freely  planted  from  year  to  year,  as 
their  merits  are  better  appreciated.  None  of  them  can  be 
successfully  grown  in  the  North,  but  occasional  specimens 
are  to  be  found  in  the  Middle  States  under  favorable 
conditions  and  with  slight  protection.  Mr.  P.  J.  Berck- 
mans  of  Augusta,  Georgia,  writes  that  "  camellias  abound 
in  all  the  southern  cities,  where  some  have  reached  to  a 
great  size  and  have  stood  every  extreme  of  heat  and  cold. 
Beginning  with  the  old  alba  plena,  or  double  white,  whose 
flowers  often  open  in  November,  we  have  a  regular  suc- 
cession of  floral  harvest  until  April,  and  have  the  choice 
of  some  two  hundred  varieties."  The  same  authority  says 
that  the  best  seasons  for  transplanting  are  from  early  Oc- 
tober to  the  beginning  of  November,  and  from  the  end  of 
February  to  the  end  of  March. 

C.  japonica  is  most  prominently  noted  among  the  spe- 
cies as  the  common  camellia,  and  is  the  type  from  which 
has  sprung  a  great  number  of  varieties  and  hybrids  now 
widely  distributed.  Under  the  most  favorable  conditions, 
it  grows  in  somewhat  tree  form  to  a  considerable  size,  and 
is  possessed  of  great  beauty.  The  leaves  are  quite  large, 
ovate,  sharp-pointed,  serrated,  and  of  good  substance  and 
color.  The  blossoms  are  in  numerous  shades,  and  mostly 
pink  with  yellow  projecting  stamens.  It  is  a  native  of 
China  as  well  as  of  several  other  Asiatic  countries.  C. 
japonica  alba  is  much  the  same  except  in  the  color  of  its 
petals  which  are  of  the  purest  white,  contrasting  strongly 
with  the  bright  yellow  centres.  The  original  forms  are 


274  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

now  seldom  found  in  cultivation  either  in  the  garden  or 
conservatory,  as  some  of  the  varieties  are  much'superior. 
It  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  describe  in  detail  the 
almost  numberless  forms  produced  through  natural  proc- 
esses, and  by  the  hybridizers  who  have  turned  their  atten- 
tion in  this  direction.  There  are  varieties  with  double 
and  single  flowers,  and  almost  every  possible  shade  of 
color,  and  the  number  is  increasing  every  year.  It  is 
claimed  that  there  is  no  plant  that  will  afford  such  a  wealth 
of  bloom  extended  over  so  long  a  time  as  the  camellia, 
and  the  claim  appears  to  be  pretty  well  founded.  It  is 
essentially  a  winter-blooming  plant,  and  among  all  the 
broad-leaved  evergreens  is  one  of  the  best.  It  is  a  pity 
that  only  a  narrow  fringe  of  our  territory  is  capable  of 
producing  the  camellias  in  the  open  ground. 

ITEA. 

THE  iteas  belong  to  the  order  Saxifragacece,  and  are 
very  little  known  in  cultivation.  Though  the 
genus  contains  only  five  species,  it  is  distributed 
freely  throughout  the  United  States,  China,  Japan,  the 
Himalayas,  and  some  of  the  islands  within  the  tropics. 
One  form  only  is  of  interest  to  us,  and  that  has  recently 
been  rescued  from  the  long  list  of  neglected  plants  so 
many  of  which  are  now  coming  into  notice.  The  botanists 
call  it  Itea  virginica,  and  so  far  as  known  this  is  the  one 
species  looked  upon  with  favor  in  the  parks  and  gardens. 
It  grows  to  a  height  of  five  to  eight  feet,  and  has  alternate 
leaves,  oblong,  pointed,  and  minutely  serrate,  changing 
from  green  to  scarlet-crimson  in  midsummer,  and  retain- 


Vitex — Chaste  Tree. 


275 


ing  the  new  shade  until  autumn.  The  flowers  are  white, 
and  in  terminal  racemes,  small,  but  sufficiently  numerous 
to  make  the  bush  attractive,  and  to  justify  a  greater  use 


ITEA   VIRQINICA 


of  the  plant  than  it  now  has.  They  appear  in  the  middle 
of  June.  Though  supposed  to  be  a  distinctively  southern 
plant,  the  itea  is  found  to  grow  wild  in  New  Jersey,  and 
may  be  safely  used  much  farther  north. 

VITEX— Chaste  Tree. 

OF  the   vitex  there  are  only  one  or  two   species 
sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand  the  rigors  of  our 
northern  climate.     The  genus  is  of  the  order 
Verbenace&t  and  contains  not  far  from  sixty  species,  mostly 
classed  as  greenhouse  or  stove  plants.      V.  agnus-castiis, 
though  supposed  to  be  too  tender  for  garden  cultivation 
north    of   Washington    or    Philadelphia,   is,   nevertheless, 


276  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

occasionally  seen  in  New  York  and  even  hi  southern 
New  England,  but  in  such  locations  it  demands  and  must 
receive  thorough  protection.  Thomas  Meehan  writes  that 
in  Philadelphia  it  gets  partly  winter-killed,  but  that  this 
does  not  hurt  it  in  the  slightest.  On  the  contrary,  the 
shoots  seem  to  start  more  vigorously  from  the  base,  and 
to  give  finer  flowers  than  they  otherwise  would.  Where 
it  does  not  winter-kill  it  would  be  well  to  cut  the  plant  to 
near  the  ground,  as  is  done  with  the  hydrangea.  The 
vitex  is  popularly  known  as  the  chaste  tree,  though  also 
bearing  such  names  as  hemp  tree  and  pepper  tree,  the  latter 
perhaps  in  recognition  of  the  fact  that  its  foliage  gives  off 
a  peculiar,  aromatic  fragrance  by  no  means  objectionable. 
It  is  a  small,  neat-appearing  shrub,  from  three  to  six  feet  in 
height,  and  with  long,  narrow-pointed  leaves,  and  panicles 
of  bright  lilac  flowers  shooting  up  above  the  foliage. 
They  are  especially  welcome,  as  they  appear  in  August 
and  September  when  flowering  shrubs  are  not  common. 
There  is  a  variety  of  vitex  having  white  blossoms,  and 
another  with  deep  blue ;  and  a  species  recently  intro- 
duced from  China  is  said  to  be  more  hardy,  but  this  is  not 
yet  sufficiently  tested  to  disclose  its  full  merits. 

CORNUS— Cornel— Dogwood. 

THE  cornus  family,  of  the  order  Cornacece,  includes 
trees,  shrubs,  and  a  few  perennial  herbs  widely 
distributed  through  Europe,  Asia,  and  America. 
The  Latin    name  comes  from  cormt,  the  horn,  and  was 
applied  because  of  the  hardness  and  strength  of  the  wood, 
and  its  real  or  supposed  durability  under  exposures.     The 


Cornus — Cornel — Dogwood.  277 


garden  varieties  are  among  the  most  valuable  shrubs  and 
small  trees  in  use.  It  is  in  their  favor  that  they  will  do 
better  in  the  shade  and  when  exposed  to  the  drip  of  over- 
hanging trees  than  do  most  other  shrubs.  For  this  reason, 
if  for  no  other,  they  fill  an  important  place,  and,  being 
compact  and  bushy,  they  quickly  supply  vacancies  and 
cover  the  naked  stems  of  trees  or  other  objects  which  are 
desired  to  be  hidden  from  the  eye.  All  the  woody  species 
can  be  used  in  this  way  to  especial  advantage.  In  some 
parts  of  Europe,  especially  in  Italy,  they  have  been  planted 
for  hedges,  and  with  satisfactory  results.  They  are  nearly 
all  remarkably  hardy,  adapting  themselves  readily  to  great 
diversities  of  soil  and  climate.  All  are  deciduous,  and 
mostly  with  leaves  opposite,  entire,  and  of  good  substance. 
Some  of  them  produce  flowers  of  great  beauty,  and  in 
abundance.  In  most  cases  the  bark  is  bitter  and  astrin- 
gent, as  are  also  the  berries,  which  ripen  in  autumn.  The 
wood  is  close-grained,  and  much  prized  for  purposes 
requiring  strength  and  endurance. 

C.  florida,  flowering  dogwood,  is  one  of  the  most 
desirable  of  our  native  shrubs.  It  usually  grows  from  ten 
to  twelve  feet  high,  but  occasionally,  under  favorable 
circumstances,  shoots  up  to  twenty  or  -thirty.  In  either 
case  it  assumes  fair  proportions,  and  in  its  season  of 
blossoming,  which  is  early  spring,  commands  universal 
admiration.  The  leaves  are  four  or  five  inches  long,  and 
two  to  three  wide,  ovate,  sharp-pointed,  and  somewhat 
pubescent  or  hairy,  especially  along  the  mid-rib  and  more 
prominent  veins.  The  flowers  appear  at  the  end  of  the 
branches,  twelve  or  more  in  a  head,  and  are  supported  by 


278 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


short,  club-like  stalks.      They  are  small  and  attract  but 
little  attention,  and  what  is  taken  as  the  blossom  is  the 


CORNUS   FLORIDA. 


whorl  of  large  leaves  by  which  the  real  flowers  are  sur- 
rounded.   These  are  four  in  number,  pure  white,  and  spread- 


Cornus — Cornel — Dogwood.  279 

ing  so  as  to  become  very  conspicuous,  and  whether  seen  in 
the  edges  of  a  forest  or  in  the  garden  border  are  very  beauti- 
ful. The  fruit  which  follows  is  closely  bunched,  bright  scar- 
let, and  also  showy.  It  is  so  bitter  that  even  the  birds  will 
not  touch  it  until  its  character  has  been  somewhat  changed 
by  frost,  when  it  becomes  acceptable  to  the  robins,  and 
probably  to  the  voracious  little  sparrows  that  are  always 
with  us.  The  bark  of  the  stem  and  branches  is  also  very 
bitter,  and  is  sometimes  used  successfully  as  a  substitute 
for  Peruvian  bark  as  a  tonic,  an  astringent,  or  an  antiseptic. 
In  autumn  the  foliage  changes  to  purple  and  crimson,  and 
with  the  bunches  of  crimson  berries  makes  the  tree  almost 
as  attractive  at  that  season  as  it  was  in  springtime.  Like 
most  of  the  cornels,  it  is  of  slow  growth  and  entirely  hardy. 
Some  of  the  earlier  botanists  who  visited  this  country 
and  came  in  contact  with  this  shrub  or  tree,  were  enthu- 
siastic in  its  praise,  as  well  they  might  be.  William 
Bartram,  in  his  Travels  in  Georgia  and  Florida,  gives 
the  following  account  of  its  appearance  as  he  found  it  near 
the  banks  of  the  Alabama  River  :  "  We  now  entered  a  re- 
markable grove  of  dogwood  trees,  which  continued  nine 
or  ten  miles  unaltered,  except  here  and  there  by  a  tower- 
ing Magnolia  grandiflora.  The  land  on  which  they  grow 
is  an  exact  level ;  the  surface  a  shallow,  loose,  black  mould, 
on  a  stratum  of  stiff,  yellowish  clay.  These  trees  were 
about  twelve  feet  high,  spreading  horizontally ;  and  their 
limbs,  meeting  and  interlocking  with  each  other,  formed 
one  vast,  shady,  cool  grove,  so  dense  and  humid  as  to  ex- 
clude the  sunbeams,  and  prevent  the  intrusion  of  almost 
every  vegetable ;  affording  us  a  most  desirable  shelter 


280 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


from  the  fervid  sunbeams  at  noonday.  This  admirable 
grove,  by  way  of  eminence,  has  acquired  the  name  of  The 
Dogwoods.  During  a  progress  of  nearly  seventy  miles 

through  this  high  forest 
there  was  constantly 
presented  to  view,  on 
one  hand  or  the  other, 
spacious  groves  of  this 
flowering  tree,  which 
must  in  the  spring  sea- 
son, when  covered  with 
blossoms,  exhibit  a  most 
pleasing  scene."  And 
Professor  E.  L.  Greene 
in  our  own  time  says  : 
"  One  of  the  delightful, 
unfading  pictures  in  our  memory  of  eastern  woods  in  their 
June  glory  is  that  of  the  shrub  or  small  tree  known  as 
flowering  dogwood.  A  full-grown  specimen  with  its  wide- 
spread and  stratified  branches,  each  ultimate  twig  bearing 
a  large,  white,  cruciform  involucre,  which  commonly  passes 
for  a  corolla,  is  an  object  of  striking  beauty  in  the  finest 
glades  where  it  occurs." 

The  species  has  several  varieties  of  value  in  cultiva- 
tion. Of  these  C.  f.  pendiila,  or  weeping  dogwood,  is  one 
of  the  most  striking,  having  foliage  and  flowers  like  its 
parent,  but  borne  on  pendulous  branches  on  every  side  of 
the  upright  stem,  and  extending  to  the  ground.  The 
branches  are  firm  and  rather  stiff,  though  not  always  so 
represented  in  the  pictures  shown  in  the  nurserymen's 


FLOWERING    DOGWOOD. 


Cornus — Cornel — Dogwood.  281 

catalogues.  The  fruit  consists  of  red  berries,  and  in 
autumn  the  foliage  changes  almost  to  crimson.  C.f.  rubra, 
or  the  red-flowering  variety,  is  of  quite  recent  introduc- 
tion. It  is  much  the  same  as  the  type,  except  in  the  color 
of  the  blossom,  which  may  be  described  as  deep  rose, 
dark  red,  or  sometimes  pink  instead  of  white.  The  origi- 
nal is  said  to  have  been  discovered  on  one  of  the  Virginia 
mountains  by  a  clergyman,  through  whom  it  was  domesti- 
cated and  introduced  to  civilized  society.  Though  inter- 
esting and  worthy  of  extensive  planting,  it  is  not  more 
beautiful  than  the  type.  It  makes  a  fine  single  plant,  but 
perhaps  the  best  use  to  which  it  can  be  put  is  to  place  it 
in  the  shrubbery  beside  the  older  forms,  when  the  contrast 
cannot  fail  to  be  especially  agreeable. 

C.  circinata,  round-leaved  dogwood,  is  an  American 
species,  growing  in  moist  situations  from  Canada  to 
Florida.  It  is  from  five  to  ten  feet  high,  with  numerous 
slender  branches  which  form  a  well-shaped  and  spreading 
head.  The  bark  is  usually  marked  with  warty  dots  which 
fail  to  add  to  its  beauty,  though  not  especially  objectiona- 
ble. The  leaves  are  oval,  abruptly  pointed,  prominently 
veined,  somewhat  rough,  and  covered  with  a  whitish  bloom 
or  down  beneath.  The  flowers  are  white,  in  terminal,  flat 
cymes,  on  bowing  footstalks,  and  appear  in  May.  The 
fruit  is  small,  pale  blue,  ripening  in  early  autumn  and  re- 
maining until  after  frost.  While  not  one  of  the  best  of 
the  cornels,  it  proves  an  acceptable  plant  for  the  shrub- 
bery or  border.  Unlike  most  of  the  species,  it  prefers  a 
rocky  or  sandy  soil,  and  proves  of  good  service  for  such 
situations. 


282  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

C.  alternifolia  is  found  chiefly  in  the  Middle  and 
Western  States.  It  grows  sometimes  as  a  tree  twenty  to 
thirty  feet  high,  with  branches  somewhat  in  whorls  and 
quite  numerous ;  but  more  frequently  appears  as  a  shrub 
eight  to  ten  feet  high,  and  of  good  form  and  character. 
Unlike  most  of  the  dogwoods,  both  its  branches  and  its 
leaves  are  alternate.  In  the  case  of  the  former,  the  bark 
is  of  bright,  shiny  green  with  splashes  of  gray  varying 
considerably  in  size  and  form.  The  leaves  are  borne  on 
long  footstalks,  are  wedge-shaped  at  the  base,  and  lance- 
olate toward  the  apex,  terminating  in  a  rather  sharp  point. 
They  are  dark  green  above  and  almost  glossy,  but  lighter 
beneath  and  slightly  pubescent.  The  flowers,  which  ap- 
pear about  the  first  of  June,  are  in  somewhat  irregular 
clusters,  white,  though  sometimes  tinted  with  yellow. 
The  fruit  is  black  tinted  with  blue,  and  in  its  abun- 
dance adds  materially  to  the  value  of  the  plant.  It  is 
less  bitter  and  astringent  than  that  of  some  of  the  other 
species,  and  quickly  taken  by  the  birds. 

C.  stolonifera,  the  red  osier  or  red-stemmed  dogwood, 
is  a  well-known  shrub  found  growing  freely  in  wet,  marshy 
lands  throughout  Canada  and  most  of  the  Northern 
States.  Its  main  stem  is  prostrate,  and  wholly  or  par- 
tially under  ground,  whence  it  throws  up  an  abundance  of 
small,  straight  shoots  six  or  eight  or  even  ten  feet  in 
height.  These  are  clothed  with  a  smooth  bark,  dull  green 
or  reddish  in  summer,  but  becoming  a  glowing  scarlet  in 
winter.  This  is,  in  fact,  its  chief  attraction,  as  the  show 
of  color  is  in  marked  contrast  with  surrounding  objects. 
In  some  instances  a  mass  of  these  shrubs  at  that  season 


Cornus — Cornel — Dogwood.  283 

looks  almost  like  a  sheet  of  fire,  when  seen  at  a  little  dis- 
tance. In  summer  the  stems  throw  out  large,  roundish 
leaves,  somewhat  rough  on  both  sides,  and  terminating  in 
a  short,  sharp  point.  This  species  appears  to  be  also  in- 
digenous to  Europe  and  Asia,  growing  as  far  north  as 
Siberia,  and,  as  might  be  expected,  is  entirely  hardy.  It 
is  there  known  as  Cornus  alba,  with  reference  to  its  fruit, 
which  is  a  small  berry,  bluish  white  and  very  bitter. 

C.  sanguinea,  another  red-stemmed  cornus,  is  a  species 
of  foreign  nativity,  though  now  well  known  and  common 
in  American  gardens.  The  height  is  from  six  to  eight 
feet,  with  numerous  shoots  proceeding  from  a  more  or  less 
prostrate  root,  which  is  in  reality  the  stem  partially  cov- 
ered by  the  soil  and  an  accumulation  of  leaves.  The 
greenish-white  flowers  appear  late  in  spring,  but  are  not 
especially  attractive  or  interesting.  The  foliage  is  good, 
making  it  a  valuable  shrub  for  summer,  though  its  chief 
attractiveness  is  in  winter  when  its  red  branches  render  it 
conspicuous.  The  fruit  is  a  small  black  berry,  which,  when 
compressed,  yields  a  valuable  oil  that  in  some  countries 
is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  fancy  soaps  and  other 
articles  requiring  oleaginous  substances.  The  species 
is  very  abundant  in  western  Asia  and  some  portions  of 
Europe. 

C.  spathi  is  a  variety  in  many  respects  decidedly  supe- 
rior to  the  type,  and  one  of  the  very  best  variegated  plants. 
The  leaves  in  spring  are  dark,  almost  bronze,  and  very 
attractive ;  but  the  greatest  charm  is  put  on  in  mid- 
summer, when  they  are  broadly  and  irregularly  margined 
with  yellow  and  white,  which  is  retained  the  remainder 


284  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

of  the  season,  the  peculiar  shading  being  more  constant 
than  in  many  of  our  most  popular  colored  foliage-plants. 
Though  brighter  in  the  open  sunshine,  the  variegation  is 
well  maintained  in  partial  shade.  It  is  scarcely  possible 
to  find  a  more  strikingly  beautiful  and  charming  shrub  for 
planting  singly,  in  masses,  or  in  promiscuous  groups  and 
borders. 

C.  sericea,  or  silky  cornus,  is  a  somewhat  spreading 
shrub  growing  freely  on  the  banks  of  streams  and  in 
moist  places,  seldom  reaching  above  five  to  ten  feet  in 
height.  It  produces  white  flowers  in  corymbs  during  the 
months  of  June  and  July,  and  these  are  followed  by  pale 
blue,  globose  berries.  The  younger  branches  are  some- 
what purple,  sprinkled  with  white  and  covered  with  a 
silky  down,  whence  comes  the  name.  The  leaves  are 
opposite,  two  to  three  inches  long,  sharply  ovate,  rounded 
at  the  base  and  pointed  at  the  apex.  This  cornus  is  a 
native  of  the  United  States,  and  ranges  from  Canada  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  having  a  preference  for  moist  lands, 
though  growing  well  in  any  reasonably  good  soil.  C. 
paniculata,  or  panicled  dogwood,  produces  its  white 
blossoms  in  loose  cymes  or  panicles  in  July  and  August, 
much  later  than  most  of  the  other  forms,  and  for  that 
reason  is  especially  desirable.  It  grows  from  five  to 
seven  feet  high  under  ordinary  conditions,  in  bushy  form 
and  with  whitish  leaves,  and  has  berries  in  late  autumn. 

C.  mas,  or  cornelian  cherry,  is  a  native  of  central 
Europe,  but,  though  introduced  to  America  many  years 
ago,  is  not  as  often  seen  in  our  gardens  as  it  should  be. 
It  is  a  small  tree  or  large  shrub,  reaching  sometimes  the 


Cornus — Cornel — Dogwood. 


285 


height  of  about  fifteen  feet,  with  slender  branches  and  a 
well-rounded  head.  Its  chief  beauty  consists  in  the  small, 
bright  yellow  flowers  which  appear  in  early  spring  in 
advance  of  the  foliage.  These  blossoms  are  in  compact 
clusters  which  extend  the  whole  length  of  the  branches, 
giving  the  tree  a  very  strik- 
ing appearance.  As  it  is  one 
of  our  very  first  bloomers, 
it  occupies  an  important 
place  in  ornamental  plant- 
ing. There  are  two  varie- 
ties of  this  plant  which  are 
especially  beautiful.  One, 
C.  ui.  variegata,  has  its  foli- 
age strikingly  marked  with 
pure  white,  and  the  other, 
C.  m.  elegantissima,  is  white 
with  light  and  yellow  shad- 
ings.  Both  are  desirable 
garden  plants.  Thomas 
Meehan  in  writing  of  this 
plant  takes  occasion  to  say : 
"In  this  dogwood  we  can 
see  how  Nature  makes  species  !  We  are  all  familiar 
with  the  white  dogwood  of  the  woods, — Cornus  florida 
in  the  east,  and  Cornus  nuttallii  on  the  Pacific  slope. 
We  know  well  the  four  broad,  white  bracts  which  lend 
the  dogwood  flower  its  chief  charm.  We  see  in  the  cor- 
nelian cherry  the  same  four  bracts,  only  that  more  cor- 
rectly they  are  the  scales  that  protected  the  flowers  in 


CORNUS    ELEQANTISSIMA. 


286  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

the  winter.  In  the  other  dogwood  cited,  the  four  bud- 
scales  simply  take  a  second  growth,  carrying  the  winter 
portion  on  the  apex.  The  notch  on  the  end  of  the 
broad,  white  bract  is  the  bud-scale  of  the  past  winter. 
What  the  power  is  that  says  to  the  bud-scales  of  Cornus 
mas,  l  Rest  when  you  let  the  flowers  out/  and  to  the 
bud-scales  of  Cornus  florida,  '  Take  another  growth  and 
become  another  species,'  nobody  knows  yet, — but  it  cer- 
tainly is  not  by  any  law  of  natural  selection,  the  struggle 
for  life,  the  survival  of  the  fittest,  or  the  accident  of 
environment.  There  are  many  reasons  why  this  lovely 
shrub  should  have  a  place  in  any  garden  that  can  find 
room  for  it." 

C.  stricta,  or  upright  dogwood,  grows  to  a  height  of 
eight  to  fifteen  feet,  with  numerous  straight  stems  or 
branches,,  making  a  beautiful  bush.  The  blossoms  are 
white,  in  open  cymes,  and  showy ;  the  foliage  is  bright 
green.  One  of  its  varieties,  little  known,  has  its  leaves 
beautifully  variegated  with  yellow  and  white,  but  the  colors 
are  not  as  permanent  as  might  be  desired.  C.  baileyi 
has  scarcely  been  introduced  to  cultivation,  but  it  appears 
to  possess  qualities  that  should  make  it  useful.  It  grows 
freely  in  certain  sections  of  the  Northwest  along  the 
borders  of  the  Great  Lakes,  and,  according  to  Professor 
Bailey,  on  sand-dunes,  and  often  in  the  loosest,  shifting, 
white  sands.  Any  plant  which  will  do  this  is  capable  of 
great  service  in  many  localities,  and  especially  a  shrub  of  up- 
right form,  good  foliage,  and  beautiful  flowers  which  appear 
continuously  from  June  to  September.  The  fruit  of  this 
cornus  is  in  clusters  of  pearly  white,  and  is  quite  showy. 


Gordonia.  287 

C.  kotisa  has  come  to  be  known  as  a  cornus,  though 
it  was  formerly  classed  as  Benthamia  japonica,  that  genus 
having  now  been  merged  into  this.  The  kousa  is  an 
interesting  form,  having  flowers  which  are  yellow,  very 
small,  and  borne  in  clusters,  the  showy  part  of  the  inflores- 
cence being  furnished  by  four  large  white  bracts  which 
surround  the  real  blossoms  exactly  as  in  Cornus  florida. 
The  bracts  of  this  Japanese  cornus  are,  however,  more 
pointed  and,  if  anything,  of  a  purer  white.  Mr.  Falconer, 
who  grew  it  at  Glen  Cove,  pronounced  it  one  of  the  finest 
shrubs  one  could  have  in  a  garden,  and  far  more  hardy 
than  some  of  the  other  Japanese  sorts. 

GORDONIA. 

THIS  is  a  distinctively  American  tree  or  shrub,  hav- 
ing been  discovered  on  the  banks  of  the  Al- 
tamaha  River  in  Georgia,  by  a  botanist  of  the 
last  century.  It  is  said  to  have  been  named  in  honor  of 
Dr.  James  Gordon  of  Aberdeen,  with  whom  the  discoverer 
had  previously  been  associated.  It  belongs  to  the  order 
Ternstroemiacece.  The  genus  includes  few  species  suf- 
ficiently hardy  for  out-of-door  cultivation,  and  even  in  the 
middle-southern  States  winter  protection  is  sometimes 
needed.  With  suitable  precautions  specimens  have  been 
grown  as  far  north  as  New  York  and  even  Boston,  but 
the  gordonia  cannot  be  advised  for  planting,  except  by  ex- 
perts, much  above  Washington. 

Although  indigenous  to  the  United  States,  and  here 
first  found,  it  is  not  now  known  to  be  growing  wild  in  any 
part  of  the  country.  There  are  only  two  forms  worthy  of 


288  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

especial  mention  as  suitable  for  the  park  or  garden.  The 
first,  G.  lasianthus,  popularly  known  as  loblolly  bay,  is 
a  shrub  often  rising  to  a  height  of  e;ght  or  ten  feet,  with 
coriaceous  foliage,  the  leaves  being  oblong-lanceolate,  nar- 
rowed at  the  base,  smooth  and  glossy.  The  flowers  are 
about  four  inches  in  diameter,  pure  white,  and  deliciously 
fragrant.  They  are  composed  of  five  broad,  incurved 
petals  enclosing  a  large  number  of  yellow  stamens  and 
anthers.  The  flowers  appear  early  in  September,  and, 
though  they  are  at  no  time  abundant,  continue  in  succes- 
sion until  killed  off  by  frost.  This  late  blooming  gives  the 
shrub  its  principal  attraction.  The  whole  bush  has  a  pe- 
culiar fragrance  said  to  resemble  that  of  the  Chinese  tea 
plant,  so  much  so  that  the  leaves  have  sometimes  been 
used  as  a  substitute  for  tea.  G.  pubescent  is  much  the  same 
in  its  general  characteristics.  It  grows  to  little  more  than 
half  the  height  of  the  preceding,  and  has  leaves  slightly 
downy,  especially  on  the  under  side.  The  flowers  are 
about  three  inches  in  diameter,  pure  white  with  yellow 
filaments,  and  fragrant.  They  appear  in  August,  and  con- 
tinue until  late  autumn. 

CERCIS— Judas-Tree— Red-Bud. 

WHAT  is  popularly  known  as  the  Judas-tree  or 
red-bud,   cercis,   constitutes   a   genus   of  Le- 
guminoscz  containing,  so   far  as    known,  not 
more  than  five  or  six  species,  and  only  a  small  number  of 
varieties  that  are  found  in  cultivation.  The  common  name, 
Judas-tree,  is  applied  because  of  the  ancient  legend  that 
the  arch-traitor  went  out  and  hanged  himself  on  a  tree  of 


Cercis — Judas-Tree — Red-Bud.  289 

this  class,  reference  being  doubtless  had  to  the  appearance 
of  the  tree  in  blossom,  when  its  trunk  and  branches  are 
covered  with  small  buds  or  flowers  much  resembling  drops 
of  blood.  There  is  another  legend  to  the  effect  that  the 
ignominy  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  elder,  which  has  ever  since 
had  a  repulsive  odor.  The  family  is  indigenous  to  the 
south  of  Europe,  to  Eastern  Asia,  and  to  North  America. 
It  is  distinguished  among  the  order  to  which  it  belongs  by 
its  glabrous,  kidney-shaped  leaves,  and  the  peculiar  flow- 
ers, to  which  reference  has  been  made.  These  buds  and 
blossoms  are  succeeded  by  thin,  flat,  brown  pods  some- 
times nearly  six  inches  long,  remaining  on  the  tree  nearly 
or  quite  all  the  year.  In  garden  cultivation,  especially  in 
colder  climates,  these  are  seldom  followed  by  fruit,  resort 
being  made  to  other  methods  of  propagation  for  the  per- 
petuation and  increase  of  the  family. 

C.  canadensis  —  American  Red- Bud. — This  is  the 
species  best  known  in  our  parks  and  gardens.  It  is  a  fine 
tree  in  the  early  season,  showy  from  the  appearance  of  its 
buds,  which  break  out  in  great  numbers  along  nearly  the 
whole  length  of  its  branches,  and  are  of  a  brilliant  red  or 
rose  color.  Nothing  among  trees  is  more  singular  and  at- 
tractive, and  when  a  well-formed  top  is  thus  ablaze  one 
can  scarcely  pass  without  pausing  to  admire.  The  tree  is 
not  large,  though  often  twenty-five  to  thirty  feet  high. 
The  leaves,  which  begin  to  appear  in  May  while  the  flow- 
ers are  expanding,  are  folded  in  a  peculiar  manner  on  the 
bud,  and  when  fully  grown  are  somewhat  heart-shaped  at 
the  base,  acuminate,  and  of  a  deep,  rich  color. 

C.  siliquastrum  is  a   native   of  southern    Europe   and 


290  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

various  Asiatic  countries,  and  has  been  longest  kwnon  in 
cultivation,  having  had  a  place  in  famous  gardens  for  many 
generations.  .  It  produces  slightly  larger  flowers  and  of  a 
somewhat  darker  shade  than  does  the  American  species, 
but  they  are  not  more  beautiful,  nor  are  they  brought  out 
in  equal  profusion.  It  is  not  found  to  endure  our  northern 
winters  so  well  as  the  native  sort,  but  may  be  safely  planted 
throughout  the  Middle  and  Southern  States.  The  foliage 
is  quite  obtuse,  and  nearly  circular,  but  in  its  general 
characteristics  equally  good. 

C.  chinensis  is  the  eastern  species,  and  was  received  in 
this  country  through  the  medium  of  Japan,  and  has  come 
to  be  popularly  known  as  the  Japan  Judas-tree,  though 
it  was  probably  not  indigenous  to  the  Island  Empire.  It 
has  larger  leaves  and  flowers,  the  latter  appearing,  if  pos- 
sible, in  even  greater  profusion  than  on  its  western  con- 
geners. When  at  its  best,  it  appears  as  a  perfect  sheet  of 
flame,  and  by  the  branches  spreading  the  effect  is  height- 
ened to  a  marvellous  degree.  In  growth  it  is  smaller  than 
either  of  the  other  sorts,  and  more  shrub-like,  seldom 
attaining  a  height  above  twelve  feet.  It  is  probably  the 
best  of  its  class.  No  garden,  park,  or  lawn  is  complete  in 
its  spring  exhibit  without  a  red-bud  or  Judas-tree  in  one 
or  more  of  these  forms. 

C.  texensis  has  its  home  in  semi-tropical  climates,  and 
is  distinctively  a  tree  for  planting  in  the  South  and  not  in 
the  North.  It  is  met  with  most  frequently  in  the  State 
from  which  it  takes  its  name,  and  will  doubtless  do  good 
service  along  the  lines  of  latitude  suggested.  Its  resem- 
blance to  C.  canadensis  is  so  close  that  the  botanists  have 


Corylopsis.  291 

not  been  agreed  as  to  whether  it  is  a  distinct  species,  or  a 
mere  variety  of  the  better-known  form.  But  if  it  answers 
the  purpose  for  the  South  which  the  common  Judas-tree 
does  for  the  North  it  will  prove  an  acquisition  to  the 
parks  and  gardens  of  that  section.  It  is  described  as  a 
slender  tree  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high  at  maturity. 
As  with  the  other  members  of  the  family,  the  foliage  and 
flowers  are  put  forth  nearly  together,  and  in  early  spring. 
The  flowers  are  about  half  an  inch  long,  and  are  on 
slender  pedicels,  though  the  clusters  are  nearly  or  quite 

sessile. 

CORYLOPSIS. 

ONLY  a  few  species  of  corylopsis  appear  to  be 
known  in  cultivation  in  America,  though  there 
are  several  that  Nicholson  in  the  Dictionary  of 
Gardening  pronounces  very  ornamental  and  interesting, 
hardy,  deciduous  shrubs.  None  of  them  is  native  of  the 
western  continent  or  of  Europe.  So  far  as  known  they 
all  come  from  China  or  Japan,  with  the  exception  of  a 
single  specimen  from  the  Himalayas.  The  genus  at  best 
is  a  small  one,  but  the  wonder  is  that  it  has  not  been  more 
taken  into  cultivation,  both  here  and  in  England,  where  it 
is  just  beginning  to  make  its  way. 

C.  spicata  is  the  best-known  form.  It  is  a  small  bush 
three  to  four  feet  high,  and  was  introduced  from  Japan, 
where  it  is  grown  in  the  best  gardens,  and  highly  es- 
teemed. It  has  long-stalked,  feather-veined  foliage,  finely 
serrated,  and  glaucous  beneath,  smooth  and  pale  green 
above.  The  flowers  have  five  petals  and  five  stamens, 
and  spring  from  the  axils  of  yellowish-green  bracts,  and 


292  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

are  disposed  in  racemes  two  to  five  inches  long.  They 
are  pale  yellow  or  lemon  in  color,  and  those  familiar  with 
them  detect  the  odor  of  cowslips  as  nearly  as  it  can  be 
defined  in  words.  These  flowers  appear  before  the  leaves, 
and  sometimes  open  in  midwinter  when  the  weather  is 
mild  for  even  a  brief  period.  The  plant  needs  to  be  cut 
back  severely  in  transplanting,  and  in  the  extreme  North 
winter  protection  will  be  of  service.  C.  pauciflora  is  much 
the  same  in  its  general  characteristics,  but  has  fewer  and 
smaller  flowers,  and  does  not  attain  to  so  large  a  size.  C. 
multiflora  comes  from  the  tea  districts  of  China,  and  is 
also  an  interesting  plant.  It  has  more  rigid  leaves  less 
distinctly  veined  than  the  spicata,  and  grayish  beneath, 
and  longer  and  more  closely  packed  racemes  of  yellow 
blossoms.  The  odor  is  something  like  that  of  the  tea 
plant.  This  species  has  been  so  recently  introduced  that 
it  is  scarcely  known  to  the  nurserymen.  C.  himalaya  is 
another  promising  sort,  having  lighter-colored  blossoms 
and  still  longer  racemes,  but  it  has  not  been  sufficiently 
tested  as  to  its  climatic  range  to  be  advised  for  general 
planting. 

HAMAMELIS— Witch  Hazel. 

THOUGH  in  the  highest  sense  the  witch  hazel,  as 
known   under  ordinary  conditions,  is  scarcely  to 
be  included  in  the  list  of  ornamental  shrubs,  it  is 
nevertheless    an   interesting  plant   and    capable  of  good 
service.     There  are  only  three  known  species,  with  per- 
haps two  or  three  varieties,  and  these  are  nowhere  largely 
in  use  as  garden  plants.     One  of  the  species  is  of  Ameri- 


Hamamelis — Witch  Hazel.  293 

can  origin,  one  probably  a  native  of  China,  and  the  third 
of  Japan.  In  this  country  H.  virginica  is  best  known,  as 
it  grows  freely  over  a  large  portion  of  our  extended 
domain.  It  rises  at  its  best  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet, 
but  is  usually  of  much  smaller  dimensions.  In  most  cases 
it  assumes  a  bushy  form  with  several  stems  springing  from 
a  common  root,  each  branching  freely  so  as  to  form  a 
somewhat  open  and  broad  head.  Occasionally  it  takes  the 
form  of  a  small  tree,  branching  near  the  ground  so  as  to 
still  give  it  a  shrubby  appearance.  Its  chief  peculiarity  is 
in  its  flowers  and  fruit.  The  former  are  gathered  in  ax- 
illary clusters  of  three  or  four,  are  bright  yellow,  and, 
though  small,  especially  interesting  from  both  a  botanical 
and  horticultural  standpoint.  Nicholson,  in  his  Dictionary 
of  Gardening,  says :  "  During  the  autumn  and  winter 
they  begin  to  expand  before  the  leaves  of  the  previous 
summer  drop  off,  and  continue  on  the  bush  through  the 
winter ;  after  the  petals  drop  off  in  the  spring  the  persist- 
ent calyces  remain  until  the  leaves  re-appear  in  April  or 
May."  This  is  the  English  description,  and  it  answers  to 
what  is  known  of  the  plant  at  home.  It  is  no  uncommon 
thing  to  see  these  blossoms  at  any  time  between  October 
and  March,  as  the  bush  is  found  skirting  the  forest  or 
growing  along  the  banks  of  brooklets  from  New  England 
to  Texas.  They  are  followed  by  two-celled,  woody  pods, 
each  containing  a  small  nut  which  is  edible  and  quite 
agreeable  to  the  taste.  The  pods  mature  late  in  the  fol- 
lowing season,  and  often  not  until  flowering  time.  The 
leaves  contain  a  large  amount  of  tannin,  and  the  product 
is  used  as  an  astringent  and  for  other  medical  purposes, 


294  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

though  chemists  fail  to  find  in  it  elements  for  the  cure  of 
the  many  ills  for  which  the  decoction  is  recommended. 

CALOPHACA. 

Calophaca  wolgarica  is  a  small  shrub  but  little  known. 
It  belongs  to  the  lentil  family,  and  comes  from  Siberia, 
having  been  introduced  as  long  ago  as  1780  to  English 
and  continental  gardens,  where  it  has  since  only  barely 
held  its  own.  It  grows  to  a  height  of  about  three  feet, 
and  has  the  advantage  of  being  reliably  hardy  and  of 
good  form,  with  pleasantly-tinted,  pinnate  foliage,  and 
abundant  golden  flowers  in  hanging  racemes,  affording 
an  agreeable  contrast  to  its  leafage.  To  bring  this  out  to 
the  best  advantage  it  is  advised  to  graft  the  more  humble 
plant  on  the  laburnum,  and  at  such  a  height  as  may  be 
desired,  when,  says  Nicholson,  "  it  forms  an  object  at  once 
singular,  picturesque,  and  beautiful,  whether  covered  with 
blossoms  or  with  its  fine,  reddish  pods."  As  a  low  plant 
it  serves  an  excellent  purpose  in  the  edges  of  borders 
as  well  as  in  groups  or  masses,  and  when  given  sufficient 
height,  as  suggested,  it  surpasses  many  popular  favorites. 
It  thrives  best  in  rather  dry  soil  and  partial  shade.  Cyti- 
sus  wolgarica  and  Cytisus  pinnatus  are  synonyms  under 
which  it  is  sometimes  catalogued. 

PHILADELPHIA— Syringa— Mock  Orange. 

THIS  is  a  small  genus  of  some  twelve  or  fifteen 
species  of  the  order  Saxifragacece,  indigenous  to 
southern  Europe,  central  Asia,  Japan,  and  North 
America,  all  hardy  shrubs,  and  possessed  of  many  quali- 


Philadelphia — Syringa — Mock  Orange.      295 

ties  that  commend  them  for  garden  cultivation  throughout 
the  temperate  zones,  where  alone  they  are  supposed  to 
thrive.  Without  exception  they  are  of  easy  cultivation, 
and  few  shrubs  make  so  good  returns,  in  both  foliage  and 
blossom,  for  the  outlay  expended  upon  them.  As  the 
flowers  are  produced  on  wood  of  the  last  year's  growth,  it 
is  well  to  cut  the  shrub  back  sharply  immediately  after  the 
flowering  season.  If  this  is  not  done  it  is  liable  to  become 
a  straggling  bush,  bare  near  the  main  stem,  and  somewhat 
coarse.  By  cutting,  the  number  of  flowering  branches  is 
multiplied,  and,  though  the  bush  becomes  large,  every  part 
will  prove  floriferous.  The  popular  name,  syringa,  should 
be  abandoned,  as  that  belongs  to  the  lilac.  Philadelphus 
is  as  easily  remembered,  and  it  is  better  to  call  things  by 
the  right  names. 

The  best  known  of  the  species  is  P.  coronarius,  and 
there  is  reason  for  speaking  of  it  as  the  mock  orange 
because  of  the  resemblance  of  the  flower,  and  of  the  fra- 
grance of  the  entire  shrub,  to  that  of  the  real  orange  tree 
of  the  South.  Under  favoring  conditions  it  grows  to  a 
height  of  twelve  feet.  It  is  compact  if  properly  handled 
in  cultivation,  but  if  left  to  itself  it  is  sometimes  far  from 
symmetrical,  though  never  ugly.  The  leaves  are  ovate, 
sharply  pointed,  and  serrate.  The  flowers  are  creamy- 
white  or  light  straw-color,  and  are  possessed  of  a  pungent 
fragrance.  They  appear  in  May,  and  in  great  abundance. 
There  are  several  varieties,  one  of  which,  flore  pleno,  has 
double  flowers  of  the  same  color  and  with  similar  fra- 
grance. Another,  argentia  marginata,  has  the  foliage  bor- 
dered with  white,  and  is  quite  distinct  and  beautiful.  It 


296 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


is  a  recent  introduction,  and  is  not  yet  widely  distributed. 
For  limited  grounds  it  may  be  preferred,  as  it  is  of  some- 
what smaller  habit  and  more  compact.  If  a  real  dwarf  is 
wanted,  the  variety  nanus  may  be  chosen,  though  it  does 
not  blossom  quite  as  freely.  P.  c.  zeypheri  is,  on  the  con- 
trary, a  large,  spreading  bush,  and  has  beautiful  flowers 


PHILADELPHUS  SPECIOSISSIMUS. 


without  fragrance,  and  which  appear  much  later.  What 
is  popularly  known  as  the  golden  syringa,  P.  foliiis  aureus, 
has  distinct  yellow  leaves,  and  is  in  all  respects  one  of  our 
best  foliage  plants.  It  holds  its  color  throughout  the 
entire  summer,  and,  whether  grown  as  a  single  plant  or  in 
masses,  is  a  superior  small  shrub. 

P.  gordonianus  is  a  native  of  this  country,  and,  coming 


Philadelphia — Syringa — Mock  Orange.      297 

from  the  Northwest,  is  entirely  hardy.  It  has  ovate, 
pointed  foliage  slightly  serulate,  and  with  favorable  cir- 
cumstances makes  a  bush  ten  to  twelve  feet  high  and 
almost  as  broad.  The  flowers  are  produced  in  great 
abundance,  are  almost  scentless,  and  in  terminal  racemes 
of  from  five  to  nine  blossoms.  This  is  much  planted, 
and  is  one  of  the  best  sorts,  as  it  is  in  its  prime  in  July 
after  most  of  the  others  have  gone  by.  P.  grandiflorus  is 
another  native  of  the  United  States,  having  its  home  in 
the  South.  It  grows  to  about  the  same  proportions,  and 
has  nearly  round  foliage,  pubescent  in  the  early  part  of 
the  season,  and  irregularly  toothed.  The  flowers  are 
much  larger  than  those  of  most  of  the  other  species,  and 
are  possessed  of  a  delightful  fragrance,  not  as  pungent  as 
that  of  the  coronariiis  which  to  some  people  is  offensively 
strong.  One  of  the  varieties,  P.  g.  speciosissimus,  is  of 
dwarf  habit,  and  especially  attractive  as  a  garden  plant, 
particularly  where  space  is  a  consideration.  It  grows 
about  three  feet  in  height,  and  produces  in  great  profusion 
very  large,  pure  white,  fragrant  blossoms. 

P.  microphyllus  differs  from  most  of  the  other  species 
in  having  small  foliage,  the  individual  leaves  being  from 
one  half  to  three  quarters  of  an  inch  long.  They  are  ovate, 
lanceolate,  entire,  and  numerous.  This  grows  about  three 
feet  high.  The  flowers  are  large,  terminal,  solitary,  and 
in  threes.  As  the  branches  are  erect  and  slender,  the 
plant  has  a  very  graceful  aspect  wherever  seen.  P.  nivalis 
has  glaucous  leaves,  white  on  the  under  side  and  green 
above.  It  is  a  small  plant  with  the  customary  white  flow- 
ers of  the  genus,  as  is  P.  hirsuta,  or  the  hairy  species, 


298 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


the   leaves   of   which    are    covered   with    hairs   on   both 
surfaces. 

There  has  been  recently  introduced  a  class  of  hybrids 

some  of  which  are  known  to 
be  of  a  superior  value.  They 
are  the  products  of  the  skill 
and  ingenuity  of  M.  Lemoine, 
to  whom  the  horticultural 
world  has  become  so  greatly 
indebted  as  a  hybridist.  Most 
of  them  are  not  yet  in  culti- 
vation in  America,  but  doubt- 
less will  be  at  an  early  day. 
Among  others  they  include 
the  following  :  P.  lemoinei  av- 
alanche, the  best  known,  is  de- 
scribed  as  having  long,  slender 
branches,  and  very  large,  white,  fra- 
grant blossoms,  bending  the  stems 
under  their  weight.  It  is  a  bush  from 
six  to  eight  feet  in  height,  and  has 
often  been  figured  in  the  magazines  and  catalogues,  and  is 
more  or  less  familiar.  P.  lemoinei  candelabre  is  another  free- 
flowering  variety,  and  has  white  flowers  of  unusual  size, 
and  prettily  dentated  and  undulated.  This  is  quite  dwarf 
in  habit,  and  makes  a  charming,  compact  little  mass  of 
blossoms.  P.  lemoinei  erectus  is  an  upright  bush,  and  has 
small,  very  sweet  flowers,  while  two  others,  called  sheaf  of 
snow  and  Mont  Blanc  have  large,  fragrant  flowers  like  the 
others  of  this  class,  completely  covering  the  shrub  at  the 


PHILADELPHIA  CORONARIUS. 


Aralia — Angelica  Tree.  299 

time  of  blossoming.     The  flowers  of  silver  ball  are  also 
sweet-scented,  and  large,  and  vary  through  being  double. 

ARALIA— Angelica  Tree. 

THERE  are  said  to  be  twenty-five  or  thirty  species 
of  the  genus  aralia,  and  widely  distributed ;  but 
they  are  mostly  tender  plants,  and,  except  in 
warm  climates,  suitable  only  to  cultivation  under  glass  and 
with  artificial  heat.  Several  prove  to  be  half-hardy,  and 
can  be  grown  in  the  open  in  such  localities  as  California 
and  the  States  bordering  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and 
northward  to  the  Carolinas.  All  are  interesting  and  even 
beautiful  plants,  and  worthy  of  more  attention  than  has 
been  usually  accorded  them  in  American  gardens,  though 
but  two  or  three  are  able  to  endure  the  winters  of  New 
England  and  the  middle  Northwest. 

A.  spinosa — Angelica  Tree — Hercules'  Club. — This  is 
one  of  the  largest  growing,  and  the  best  of  all  for  garden 
use.  It  rises  from  twelve  to  sixteen  feet  in  height,  and 
has  the  habit  of  sending  up  branches  from  the  roots,  so 
that  when  once  established  it  often  becomes  a  group,  the 
parent  stem  in  the  centre,  with  smaller  and  lower  ones  on 
every  side.  When  desired,  these  secondary  growths  can 
be  easily  removed  so  that  the  tree  form  may  be  retained. 
This  species  is  indigenous  to  North  America,  and  when 
first  seen  by  Europeans  was  regarded  as  a  great  curiosity. 
One  of  its  peculiarities  is  that  the  woody  stem  is  covered 
from  end  to  end  with  sharp  prickles,  so  that  one  can 
scarcely  touch  it  with  the  bare  hand  ;  and  another,  that  in 
autumn — especially  when  young — the  large  stems,  having 


300 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


served  as  branches,  fall  off  as  well  as  the  leaves.  In  this  state 
it  appears  more  dead  than  alive,  and  often  very  much  un- 
like its  floral  or  arboreal  surroundings.  But  when  spring 
comes  it  is  quickly  reclothed  ;  the  ephemeral  branches 
grow  rapidly,  and  send  out  compound  leaves  two  or  three 
feet  long,  and  often  half  as  broad.  These  form  a  cluster 
at  the  top  of  what  was  so  recently  a  bare  stem,  and  are 
very  tropical  in  appearance,  being  twice  or  thrice  pinnate, 


ROSE   ACACIA.     (See  page  46.) 

and  borne  on  petioles,  fifteen  to  twenty  inches  long,  which 
clasp  the  main  stem  with  a  thickened  and  enlarged  base. 
The  flowers  come  out  in  midsummer  in  umbels  and  com- 
pound panicles.  They  are  white  tinted  with  green,  and  in 
such  masses  as  to  create  surprise  to  one  not  familiar  with 
the  plant.  This  round  head,  with  large  foliage  and  im- 
mense cluster  of  flowers,  has  much  the  appearance  of  a 
tropical  palm  in  full  blossom,  if  such  were  a  possible  thing. 


Aralia — Angelica  Tree. 


301 


The  tree  should  be  planted  in  sheltered  position,  as  the  top 
is  too  heavy  and  too  large  to  withstand  high  winds  to  the 
best  advantage.  It  is  well  adapted  to  shady  situations, 
and  even  prefers  them  to  bright,  sunny  exposures.  With 
advancing  age  there  is  a  tendency  to  more  permanent 
branches  and  a  still  larger  head.  It  is  a  rapid  grower,  and 
comparatively  indifferent  to  soils  and  situation,  though 
when  growing  wild 
is  found  most  often 
in  moist  locations. 
A.  sieboldii — 
Japanese  Aralia. — 
Though  belonging 
to  the  same  class, 
this  is  quite  anoth- 
er plant  from  that 
already  described. 
It  grows  in  the 
form  of  a  bush 
three  to  six  feet 
high  and  nearly  as 
many  through,  and 
is  covered  with  deep,  glossy  foliage,  the  individual  leaves 
being  digitate,  twelve  inches  across,  and  on  stout  petioles  a 
foot  long.  They  are  finely  cut,  and  in  themselves  suffici- 
ently showy  to  make  the  plant  worthy  of  a  place  in  our  best 
gardens  where  the  conditions  will  allow.  It  is  almost  an 
evergreen  in  the  South,  where  alone  in  this  country  it  can 
be  successfully  planted.  The  flowers  are  comparatively 
small,  white,  and  exceedingly  numerous,  covering  in  their 


ARALIA    FATGIA. 


302  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

season  the  umbrella-like  head  in  the  greatest  profusion. 
The  London  Garden  speaks  of  it  as  "  one  of  the  most 
ornamental  plants  that  can  be  used  in  the  garden,  a  large 
mass  of  it  on  the  turf  presenting  a  fine  aspect."  It  can 
doubtless  be  grown  to  perfection  over  a  considerable  sec- 
tion of  the  United  States  south  of  Washington,  with  the 
same  care  and  attention  bestowed  on  many  other  and 
less  worthy  kinds  ;  but  in  the  North  the  winters  are  too 
severe.  The  Japanese  name  for  this  species  is  fatsia,  and 
the  botanists  are  now  cataloguing  it  as  the  A  r alia  fatsia. 
There  are  two  varieties,  one  having  its  foliage  marked 
with  white,  and  the  other  with  yellow,  neither  proving 
itself  superior  in  value  to  the  type. 

HIBISCUS— Mallow— Althea. 

HIBISCUS  is  the  old  Greek  name  applied  to  what 
we  know  as  the  marshmallow,  which  constitutes 
a  genus  of  Malvacecz,  having  its  home  mostly  in 
tropical  or  semi-tropical  climates.  It  includes  not  far  from 
one  hundred  species,  and  almost  numberless  varieties, 
some  of  which  are  annuals,  others  herbaceous  perennials, 
and  still  others  large  and  vigorous-growing  shrubs.  In 
nearly  all,  the  flowers  are  large  and  beautiful,  so  that  the 
genus  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  in  cultivation.  Except 
in  a  few  instances,  they  are  of  value  in  the  temperate 
zones  only  as  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  though  there 
are  several,  accounted  tender,  which  do  good  service  in 
open  ground  as  we  approach  the  southern  boundaries  of 
the  great  republic.  In  a  general  way  they  nearly  all 
resemble  in  blossom  the  common  hollyhock  of  the  gardens, 


Hibiscus — Mallow — Althea. 


303 


to  which  they  are  in  reality  closely  allied.  The  best-known 
native  species  is  H.  moscheutos,  found  chiefly  in  swamps 
and  marshes  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  to  some  extent 
on  the  borders  of  the  Great  Lakes  as  far  north  as  the  Ca- 
nadian line.  This  is  known  almost  everywhere  as  the 
swamp  rose,  and  with  a  considerable  degree  of  propriety. 
When  transferred 
to  ordinary  soil  it 
continues  to  thrive 
nearly  as  well  as  be- 
fore. This  class  of 
mallows  appears  in 
many  colors.  The 
several  varieties 
make  charming 
plants  in  the  border, 
especially  as  they 
flower  in  mid-sum- 
mer. 

H.  syriacus  is 
the  bush  or  small 
tree  popularly 
known  as  the  althea, 
and  sometimes  as 
the  rose  of  Sharon.  It  is  believed  to  have  originated  in 
Syria,  though  it  may  not  have  been  the  flower  mentioned 
as  with  affection  in  the  Jewish  Scriptures.  It  is  usually  a 
shrub  ten  to  twelve  feet  in  height,  but  sometimes  much 
larger.  Its  habit  is  rather  stiff  and  straggling,  and  it  needs 
attention  and  a  somewhat  free  use  of  the  pruning-knife 


HIBISCUS. 


304  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

to  keep  it  in  good  shape.  In  no  case  is  the  foliage  partic- 
ularly attractive,  though  in  appearance  it  is  always  fairly 
good.  The  flowers,  double  and  single,  take  on  a  consid- 
erable range  of  form  and  color,  red,  white,  and  purple, 
with  numerous  combinations  and  intermixtures.  They 
come  forward  at  the  season  of  the  year  when  the  gar- 
dens and  fields  are  most  destitute  of  color,  blooming 
in  August  and  September,  and  continuing  for  some  weeks. 
Because  of  their  submission  to  the  shears,  the  altheas 
are  capable  of  making  beautiful  flowering  hedges,  though 
they  do  not  appear  to  be  much  used  for  that  purpose- 
perhaps,  in  part,  for  the  reason  that  they  afford  but 
slight  protection  as  a  barrier  against  encroachments  on 
the  part  of  small  animals.  But  as  single  specimens  or 
in  borders,  they  show  to  better  advantage  than  any 
other  shrub  at  the  particular  period  when  they  are  at 
their  best.  The  many  forms  known  to  cultivation  are 
supposed  to  be  varieties  springing  from  a  common  type, 
and  as  a  rule  are  greatly  superior  to  the  species  from 
which  they  have  sprung. 

Of  the  numerous  varieties  only  a  few  need  be  named, 
such  as  are  believed  to  cover  the  field  of  usefulness  on  the 
part  of  the  most  exacting  planters.  One  of  the  best- 
known  single  forms  is  H.  totus  albus,  with  pure  white, 
single  blossoms  of  large  size,  and  without  the  prominent 
crimson  eye  for  which  the  group  is  distinguished.  H. 
alba  plena  is  equally  good  in  its  general  characteristics, 
producing  large,  white,  double  blossoms.  H.  boule  de  feu 
is  in  two  forms,  one  with  single  red  or  pink  flowers,  and 
the  other  with  double  blossoms  of  the  same  hue.  H.  alba 


Hibiscus — Mallow — Althea.  305 

variegata  is  marked  with  stripes  of  white  and  red.  .  H. 
ccerulea  has  large,  double  pink  and  white  flowers  shaded 
with  purple,  while  H.  leopoldii,  which  is  comparatively 
new,  presents  the  peculiarity  of  attractive,  cut-leaved  foli- 
age and  very  large  as  well  as  double  flesh-colored  flowers 
shaded  with  rose. 

H.  anemon&flora  is  one  of  the  later  introductions,  and 
proves  of  especial  merit.  The 
flowers  are  double,  the  stamen-petals 
making  a  tufted  centre  and  much 
shorter  than  the  true  petals.  These 
latter  are  broad  and  conspicuous, 
deep  scarlet  at  the  base,  distinctly 
extending  into  veins  to  almost  the 
edges  of  the  petals.  The  general 
color  is  dark  pink.  The  plant  is 
noted  as  a  later  bloomer  than  most 
others.  H.  camellueflora  is  as  de- 
sirable as  the  preceding  through  its 
distinction  in  color.  The  large,  white 
flowers  are  handsome  and  showy, 
the  broad,  true  petals  extending 
much  beyond  the  inner  stamen-pet- 
als. The  rich  crimson  eye,  occur-  <>OUBLE-FLOWER,NQ  ALTHEA. 
ring  in  almost  all  the  varieties,  is  very  marked  in  this  case. 
H.  p&oniceflora  produces  a  blossom  resembling  a  peony, 
though  not  as  large.  In  color  it  is  a  beautiful  pink, 
and  very  showy.  Meehan  in  his  Monthly  gives  the 
following  description  of  an  entirely  new  form  :  "  H. 
enchantress  is  practically  unknown  to  the  public,  not 


306  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

having  yet  been  disseminated.  Its  flowers  are  single, 
white  with  the  usual  crimson  eye,  and  with  a  dash  of 
rose  tipping  each  petal.  The  appearance  of  this  color 
regularly  located  on  the  petals,  is  unique  and  pleasing." 
Buist's  variegated  althea  is  distinguished  for  its  beautiful 
foliage.  The  leaves  are  marked  with  stripes  of  yellowish- 
white  in  such  proportions  and  distinctness  as  to  arrest 
the  attention  of  every  passer.  It  is  a  low,  well-rounded 
bush,  and  worthy  of  a  place  in  every  garden  or  border. 
It  can  scarcely  be  called  a  flowering  shrub,  for  the  blos- 
soms fail  to  materialize.  Though  the  petals  appear  to  be 
fully  formed,  they  gather  in  the  shape  of  balls  or  buttons, 
simply  showing  their  tips,  which  are  red.  They  remain 
into  late  autumn,  but  are  more  curious  than  beautiful. 

PAVIA— Dwarf  Horse-Chestnut. 

THE  common  horse-chestnut,  so  freely  planted  in 
this  country,  is  of  foreign  origin,  having  come 
from  China,  with  Europe  as  an  intermediary,  and 
it  must  be  confessed  that  America  has  given  it  a  right 
royal   welcome.     Few   trees  are   more   freely  grown    on 
strictly  ornamental  grounds,  as  it  has  little  or  no  economic 
value  either  in  its  timber  or  its  fruit.      It  is  a  large  and 
magnificent  tree,  and  in  spring  is  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful both  in  leaf  and  flower. 

It  may  not  be  appreciated  by  all  that  we  have  a  branch 
of  the  horse-chestnut  tribe  which  may  be  properly  classed 
among  shrubs,  and  which  is  equally,  even  if  not  more, 
desirable  than  the  larger  sort.  The  sEsculus  parvi- 
flora.  known  also  as  macrostachya  in  the  catalogues,  is  a 


Pavia — Dwarf  Horse-Chestnut. 


307 


native  of  the  mountainous  sections  of  the  Carolinas,  and 
extends  thence  both  southward  and  westward.  As  it 
proves  reasonably  hardy  throughout  the  Northern 
States  also,  it  comes  nearer  than  most  others  to  meeting 
the  demands  of  all  sections.  Still  it  cannot  be  advised  for 


/ESCULUS   PAR  VI  FLOP  A. 


the  extreme  Northwest  or  the  most  exposed  portions  of 
New  England.  In  the  Ohio  valley,  where  it  abounds,  it  is 
popularly  known  as  one  of  the  buckeyes,  and,  though  never 
a  tree,  it  gains  a  height  of  fifteen  to  twenty  feet,  with  a  broad, 
well-rounded  head,  the  foliage  resembling  that  of  the 
common  horse-chestnut,  but  sufficiently  distinct  to  be 
characteristic.  The  leaves  are  smaller,  and  composed  of 
from  five  to  seven  oval-obovate  leaflets,  somewhat  rough 


308  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

and  hairy  on  the  under  surface  but  smooth  above.  The 
flowers  are  in  long,  erect  spikes  resembling  in  form  those 
of  the  hyacinth,  are  mostly  white,  and  in  July  cover  the 
entire  bush,  which  at  that  time  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
to  be  seen  on  the  lawn  or  in  the  garden.  But  it  is  not  to 
be  planted  indiscriminately,  as  it  throws  up  suckers  from 
the  roots,  forming  in  a  few  years  larger  groups  than  in 
many  situations  might  be  desired.  The  proper  place  for 
it,  therefore,  is  where  there  is  plenty  of  room  to  be  devoted 
to  its  occupancy,  where  it  may  be  left  to  itself  in  the 
certainty  that  it  will  become  a  thing  of  beauty  scarcely 
surpassed  in  its  season  by  tree  or  shrub.  It  has  the 
advantage  also  of  being  quite  indifferent  to  soils  and 
ordinary  climatic  influences,  for  it  will  grow  in  the  stiffest 
clay  as  freely  and  as  surely  as  in  ordinary  garden  loam. 

P.  rubra,  known  in  some  sections  as  the  red  buckeye, 
and  in  others  as  the  red  or  scarlet  horse-chestnut,  has 
elliptic-oblong  leaves,  tapering  to  a  point  at  both  ends,  the 
leaflets  numbering  from  five  to  seven,  mostly  in  fives, 
smooth  and  slightly  hairy  in  the  axils  of  the  nerves  beneath. 
The  flowers  are  produced  in  long  and  rather  open  panicles 
at  the  ends  of  the  stems  and  branches,  and  in  May  or 
early  June,  and  being  red  never  fail  to  attract  attention. 
The  botanists  do  not  agree  whether  it  should  be  classed  as 
a  pavia  or  a  horse-chestnut,  and  so  it  is  placed  in  either 
section  as  the  judgment  of  the  horticulturist  may  dictate. 
For  this  reason  it  has  several  synonyms,  among  which  are 
^Esculus  pavia,  sEsculus  rubicunda,  and  sEsculus  carnea. 
There  are  several  varieties,  one  a  dwarf,  another  with 
pendulous  branches,  and  still  another  with  deeply  and 


Hedysarum  309 

curiously  cut  leaves.  The  fact  that  none  of  these  have 
come  into  more  general  cultivation  would  indicate  that 
they  have  not  proven  themselves  superior  to  the  type. 

P.  californica,  as  its  name  indicates,  is  a  native  of  the 
Pacific  slope,  and  is  quite  distinct  from  the  preceding. 
The  leaves  are  oblong,  sharp-pointed,  and  on  petioles. 
The  general  form  is  much  the  same,  and  the  broad,  round 
head,  sometimes  ten  to  twelve  feet  across,  is  densely 
covered  with  the  characteristic  foliage,  the  leaflets  being 
oblong-lanceolate,  sharp-pointed,  and  on  slender  petioles. 
The  flowers  are  white  or  pale  rose,  with  orange-colored 
anthers  somewhat  prominent.  Unlike  most  others  of  this 
class  they  are  highly  fragrant.  They  appear  in  May,  and 
crown  the  whole  shrub  with  their  upright  spikes  as  they 
rise  above  the  surface  of  green.  In  cultivation  this  variety 
usually  grows  from  twelve  to  twenty  feet  high,  but  there 
are  said  to  be  specimens  in  its  native  habitat  even  much 

larger. 

HEDYSARUM. 

Hedysarum  multijugum  is  an  exotic,  belonging  to  the 
Leguminosce,  which  has  recently  come  to  us  from  Mon- 
golia. It  has  not  yet  been  thoroughly  tested  either  in 
England  or  this  country,  but  gives  promise  of  being  a 
valuable  addition  to  the  list  of  our  hardy  and  ornamental 
shrubs.  In  the  home  of  its  adoption  it  seldom  attains  a 
height  of  more  than  five  feet.  It  has  slender  branches, 
covered  when  young  with  minute,  silky  hairs  which  clothe 
alike  the  pinnate  leaves  and  petioles,  giving  the  whole 
bush  a  tinge  of  gray.  The  foliage  suggests  the  tropics  as 
the  place  of  nativity,  and  the  blossoms  add  force  to  the 


310  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

suggestion.  These  come  forward  in  June,  and  are  borne 
in  racemes  eight  to  twelve  inches  long,  and  keep  in  good 
form  for  two  or  three  weeks.  In  color  they  are  rosy-pur- 
ple and  very  attractive.  In  the  Northern  States  it  may 
be  well  to  afford  the  plant  slight  protection,  especially  in 
the  early  stages  of  its  growth,  but  in  the  South  this  will 
be  unnecessary.  The  species  will  certainly  prove  a 
valuable  acquisition  in  that  section. 

TAMARIX. 

THE  hardy  tamarisks  are  beautiful  shrubs,  and 
worthy  of  a  more  prominent  place  in  orna- 
mental planting  than  in  this  country  has  yet 
been  accorded  them.  While  the  genus  is  quite  large, 
only  a  few  species  are  suited  to  ordinary  garden  cultiva- 
tion. For  planting  by  the  seaside,  and  in  especially 
exposed  situations,  they  are  of  the  utmost  value,  as  their 
long,  slender  branches,  readily  yielding  to  the  winds,  are 
seldom  broken.  Not  even  the  salt  spray,  so  fatal  to 
nearly  all  other  plants,  does  them  permanent  harm,  unless 
it  be  abundant  and  continuous.  The  tamarisks  grow  so 
rapidly  as  to  be  able  to  also  serve  a  good  purpose  in  such 
situations  in  affording  protection  to  less  hardy  plants,  and 
where  their  merits  are  appreciated  they  are  sometimes 
grown  in  belts  or  masses  for  purposes  of  shelter.  To 
make  the  most  of  them  they  must  be  severely  cut  back 
from  year  to  year,  as  the  tendency  is  to  throw  out  long 
shoots  that  become  bare  stems,  and  as  the  foliage  and 
flowers  appear  in  most  forms  on  the  new  growths  only. 
They  bear  this  clipping  well,  and  are  greatly  improved  in 


Tamarisk.  311 

their  appearance  by  the  operation.  There  is  some  confu- 
sion among  specialists  as  to  names  both  of  the  genus  and 
the  several  species,  but  the  following  varieties  will  serve 
all  practical  purposes. 

The  African  tamarisk,  T.  africana,  is,  perhaps,  the 
earliest  blooming  species,  the  small  flowers  appearing  in 
May  or  early  in  June  in  great  profusion  along  the  slender 
branches  of  the  previous  season's  growth.  They  are 
bright  pink  and  exceedingly  beautiful,  covering  the  whole 
bush  and  affording  a  marked  contrast  to  the  soft,  feathery 
foliage.  The  time  to  cut  in  the  branches  is  immediately 
after  the  flowering  season  is  over,  when  the  growth  which 
follows  will  furnish  blossom-buds  for  the  next  season. 
This  tamarisk  is  known  also  as  the  T.  tetrandra,  and  T. 
parviflora. 

The  French  tamarisk,  T.  gallica,  is  a  native  not  only 
of  France,  but  also  of  Spain,  Italy,  and  other  Mediter- 
ranean countries.  It  grows  to  a  height  of  eight  or  ten 
feet,  with  its  very  small,  imbricated,  feathery  leaves  in 
profusion,  and  the  color  contrasts  are  marked.  The  pale 
red  or  pink  flowers  are  small  but  numerous,  not  dis- 
tributed as  in  the  africana,  but  appearing  in  clusters  or 
catkins  about  an  inch  long  at  the  end  of  the  slender 
branches.  The  twigs  are  also  conspicuous  because  of 
their  purple  or  reddish-colored  bark.  The  shrub  can  be 
shaped  to  a  low,  round,  compact  head,  or  be  trained  to 
almost  any  form  that  may  be  desired,-  and  is  sometimes 
grown  to  advantage  on  the  side  of  a  building  or  wall.  In 
either  case  the  lightness  and  grace  of  foliage  and  blossom 
are  sure  to  attract  attention  and  admiration. 


312  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

The  late-flowering  tamarisk,  commonly  known  as  T. 
indica,  unlike  those  already  named,  blooms  on  wood  of  the 
same  season's  growth,  and  so  must  be  cut  well  back  in  late 
autumn  or  early  spring,  when  the  plant  will  put  forth  long, 
slender  branches,  six  feet  or  more,  which  will  produce  a 
profusion  of  blossoms  in  August  and  September,  afford- 
ing a  mass  of  color  commingled  with  the  fine,  soft  foliage 
that  covers  the  spreading  steins  from  end  to  end. 
"  Nothing,"  says  Garden  and  Forest,  "can  be  more  exqui- 
sitely graceful  than  the  entire  habit  of  this  plant,  and  it  is 
especially  attractive  in  early  morning  when  its  branches 
droop  under  the  weight  of  silvery  dew."  Neither  the 
foliage  nor  the  blossom  differs  in  the  early  and  late 
species  to  any  appreciable  degree,  but  the  training  of  the 
plants  must  be  quite  unlike.  If  the  early  bloomers  are 
cut  back  after  the  flowering  season  is  over,  the  flower- 
buds  for  the  next  summer  are  all  removed,  and  in  this  re- 
spect the  season's  growth  will  be  a  failure.  But,  if  the 
branches  of  the  indica  are  not  cut  sharply  back  at  the 
close  of  the  season,  the  plant  will  make  another  growth  of 
six  or  eight  feet,  and  the  blossoms  will  appear  only  on 
the  new  wood,  leaving  a  mass  of  bare  stems  below,  which 
destroys  the  symmetry  and  attractiveness  of  the  whole. 

KERRIA— Globe  Flower. 

THERE  is  but  one  species  of  the  kerria  which  is 
worthy  of  cultivation.     It  is  a  native  of  Japan  and 
known  as  K.  japonica,  and  popularly  called  Jews' 
Mallow,  and  is  one  of  the  early  spring  bloomers  especially 
suitable  for  growing  on  a  wall  or  fence.     It  is  a  deciduous, 


Sophora.  313 

erect,  handsome,  and  hardy  plant,  and  sends  up  numerous 
stems  which  will  thrive  in  almost  any  good  soil.  The 
flowers  are  orange -yellow  with  five  ellipti- 
cal petals,  obtuse  and  spreading.  There 
are  several  varieties,  double  and  single, 
the  double  being  most  in  use,  but  the 
single  having  more  beauty,  and  to  be  pre- 
ferred for  many  situations.  The  foliage 
is  bright  glossy  green,  smooth  above,  and 
slightly  hairy  on  the  under  side.  The 
height  is  from  three  to  six  feet.  There 
are  one  or  two  varieties  having  foliage 
variegated  with  white,  and  these  cannot 
fail  to  be  appreciated  when  better  known. 

SOPHORA. 

THE  sophoras  include  a  number  of 
small  trees  and  shrubs,  natives  of 
eastern  Asia  and  certain  portions 
of  North  America,  and  possessed  of  much 
interest.     They  belong  to  the  order  Legu- 
minoscz,  and  number  not  far  from  twenty 

KERRIA  JAPONICA. 

species,  with  numerous  varieties  that  are 
worthy  of  notice.  The  best-known  member  of  the  family 
is  catalogued  as  61.  japonica,  though  it  is  supposed  to 
be  a  native  of  China,  and  to  have  been  taken  to  Japan 
many  centuries  ago,  carrying  with  it  the  popular  name, 
pagoda  tree,  which  is  still  applied  to  it  in  both  coun- 
tries. This  name  comes  from  the  fact  that  it  is  largely 
planted  in  the  vicinity  of  temples  and  public  buildings. 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 

In  a  certain  sense  it  is  looked  upon  by  the  Eastern 
populace  as  an  object  of  veneration  and  emblematic  of 
sacred  things.  At  its  best  it  grows  some  thirty  feet  high, 
but  in  this  country  it  seldom  reaches  that  altitude.  It  has 


WEEPING   SOPHORA. 


graceful  foliage,  and  the  leaves  are  large,  green  tinged 
with  blue,  and  hold  their  color  well.  They  are  com- 
pound, with  eleven  to  thirteen  oblong-oval  and  pointed 
leaflets.  The  flowers  are  terminal,  in  long,  open  pan- 
icles and  creamy-white  in  color.  They  appear  in  August 
and  September.  Wherever  seen  this  sophora  proves 


Rhodotypos.  315 

a  handsome  tree.  .51  /.  pendula  is  a  weeping  variety, 
and  one  of  the  best  weeping-trees  known.  It  should 
be  grafted  on  the  parent  stock  at  such  a  height  as  is  de- 
sired and  will  then  form  a  large  compact  head  with  the 
branches  reaching  to  the  base  on  every  side.  It  is  not 
often  seen  on  our  lawns  because  of  the  difficulty  and  cost 
of  securing  good  specimens. 

S.  secundiflora  is  an  American  species  with  somewhat 
larger  blossoms  of  rich  violet  color.  These  appear  in 
June  or  early  July.  The  leaves  are  more  coriaceous  and 
glossy  than  those  of  the  japonica,  but  this  form  is  not  so 
hardy,  and  is  not  advised  for  northern  planting.  Its  home 
appears  to  be  in  the  extreme  Southwest.  It  is  abundant 
in  Texas  and  Mexico,  and  is  there  a  broad-leaved  ever- 
green, growing  to  the  height  of  six  feet.  S.  tetraptera  is 
a  native  of  New  Zealand,  and  has  yellow  flowers.  It  is  a 
beautiful  half-hardy  shrub  suitable  for  planting  only  in  the 
Southern  States  unless  afforded  ample  protection.  It  is 
deciduous,  and  grows  to  a  height  of  twelve  feet. 

RHODOTYPOS. 

THIS  is  a  genus  of  only  a  single  species,  and  is  so 
closely  allied  to  kerria  as  to  be  often  confounded 
with  it.     By  the  botanists  it  is  given  the  name  R. 
kerrioides  in  consideration  of  the  resemblance  of  both  its 
flowers  and  foliage  to  Kerria  japonica.     It  is  a  native  of 
Japan,  and  was  introduced  into  England  as  early  as  1866, 
but  has  been   practically  unknown  in  American  gardens 
until  a  much  later  date.     The   shrub  rises  ten  to  fifteen 
feet  in  height,  and  when  grown  on  a  wall  has  almost  as 


316  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

wide  a  spread.  It  can  be  grown  in  this  way,  or  kept  in 
due  limits  as  a  somewhat  straggling  bush,  as  may  be 
desired.  The  branches  are  numerous  and  quite  twiggy, 
and  are  clothed  with  light  green  leaves,  opposite,  oblong- 
ovate,  pointed,  and  soft  or  silky  beneath.  The  flowers 
very  much  resemble  large,  single  roses,  and  are  borne  in 
profusion  at  the  ends  of  the  branches,  continuing  in  suc- 
cession for  a  long  period.  Says  Garden  and  Forest  : 
"  There  is  hardly  a  day  from  early  June  until  frost  comes 
when  a  well-grown  specimen  will  not  give  a  few  sprays 
with  single  flowers  at  their  extremities.  The  pure  white 
blossom  among  the  light  green  leaves  is  very  attractive, 
and  half  a  dozen  of  these  sprays  will  help  to  add  lightness 
and  grace  to  a  vase  of  the  highly-colored  flowers  which 
usually  prevail  at  this  season."  The  plant  is  reasonably 
hardy,  and  can  be  depended  upon  both  in  the  North  and 

South. 

PTELEA— Hop  Tree. 

THE  ancients  knew  the  elm  by  this  name,  which  is 
now  applied  to  a  mere  shrub  because  of  a  fancied 
resemblance  in  the  fruit.  It  belongs  to  an  entirely 
different  order,  Rutacecz,  and  has  little  in  common  with 
the  majestic  elm.  It  rarely  rises  to  more  than  eight  feet. 
The  pteleas  make  up  a  genus  of  six  species,  only  one  of 
which  has  a  place  among  ornamental  shrubs.  P.  trifoliata, 
known  as  the  hop  tree  and  also  as  swamp  dogwood,  is  a 
much-branched  shrub  with  alternate  leaves  usually  in 
threes,  pinnate,  and  with  oblong  or  ovate  leaflets.  If  the 
foliage  is  bruised  or  crushed  it  exhales  a  rather  unpleasant 
odor.  The  flowers  are  greenish-yellow,  and  have  a  short 


Laburnum.  3 1 7 

calyx  four-  or  five-parted  and  somewhat  imbricated,  with 
four  or  five  petals  of  greater  length  and  also  imbricated. 
They  appear  in  late  May  or  early  June.  The  variety 
known  as  the  golden  hop  tree,  P.  t.  aurea,  is  the  same 
in  all  respects  except  that  its  foliage  is  a  bright  yellow,  a 
color  which  it  retains  the  entire  summer,  if  given  a  sunny 
position.  In  this  respect  it  is  excellent  for  the  shrubbery 
or  border  or  as  a  single  specimen  on  the  lawn  where  a  bit 
of  contrasting  color  is  desired.  Planted  with  the  Prunus 
pissardia,  or  mingled  with  scarlet-leaved  shrubs  and  trees, 

the  effect  is  fine. 

LABURNUM. 

THERE  are  three  species  of  this  genus  of  the  order 
Leg^lm^nos(z,  each  having  several  varieties  which 
are  attractive  and  showy.  They  are  small,  up- 
right, slender-growing  trees,  and  can  scarcely  be  planted 
amiss  in  the  border  or  on  the  lawn.  L.  vulgaris  is  popu- 
larly known  as  golden-chain,  getting  the  name  from  the 
shape  and  color  of  the  blossoms,  which  are  in  long  pendu- 
lous racemes  of  bright  yellow,  covered  with  soft  pubes- 
cence, and  hang  among  the  leaves  from  April  until  June. 
They  are  succeeded  by  pods  which  continue  long  on  the 
tree  but  are  by  no  means  unsightly.  The  leaves  are  com- 
pound with  ovate-lanceolate  leaflets,  and  the  stems  and 
branches  are  slightly  bronzed.  Among  the  desirable 
varieties  are  L.  v.  aureum,  with  golden  foliage  ;  L.  v.  involu- 
tum,  with  curled  leaflets  in  the  form  of  rings  ;  L.  v.  waterii, 
with  racemes  longer  than  those  of  the  others  and  more 
deeply  colored  ;  and  L.  v.  parkesii,  which  has  still  more 
conspicuous  blossoms.  These  grow  to  a  height  of  twenty 


318  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

feet,  as  does  L.  alpinum,  which  is  particularly  distinguished 
as  the  Scotch  laburnum  and  also  has  the  name  of  golden- 
chain.  It  has  much  the  same  flower  as  the  vulgaris,  and 
is  perhaps  the  hardiest  member  of  the  family.  The 
laburnums  are  natives  of  Europe  and  Asia  Minor. 

CITRUS— Orange. 

THE  oranges  are  among  the  most  interesting  flower- 
and  fruit-bearing  shrubs  and  trees,  but  their  free 
cultivation  is  limited  to  tropical  and  semi-tropical 
climates.  They  belong  to  the  order  Rutacecz,  and  are 
found  in  the  genus  citrus,  and  are  distinguished  for  their 
beautiful  and  fragrant  blossoms,  their  attractive  foliage, 
and  the  peculiar  habit  of  bearing  flowers  and  fruit  at  the 
same  time.  Most  of  the  oranges  are  easily  grown,  and 
they  come  to  maturity  as  early  as  do  the  peach  or  apricot. 
The  citrus  is  thought  to  be  the  longest-lived  tree  in  the 
world.  It  is  a  native  of  the  warm  valleys  of  the  Hima- 
layas, and  of  Persia,  where  specimens  of  great  age  are 
found,  though  there  are  no  means  of  determining  the  years 
which  they  may  have  seen. 

In  the  range  of  the  Gulf  States  the  oranges,  as  also 
the  lemon,  are  at  home,  though  not  always  to  be  depended 
upon  in  unusually  severe  winters.  Among  the  varieties 
of  interest  for  more  general  cultivation  and  for  ornamental 
use  is  C.  trifoliata,  a  native  of  Japan,  which  was  intro- 
duced into  English  gardens  some  time  since,  and  has  been 
thoroughly  tested  as  to  its  hardiness  in  that  climate.  The 
London  Garden  says  that  in  some  of  the  southern  coun- 
ties specimens  have  been  growing  well  in  the  open  ground, 


Citrus — Orange. 


319 


and  even  bearing  fruit  in  apparent  perfection.     Since  its 
introduction  into  the  United  States  it  has  proved  entirely 


TRIFOLIATE   ORANGE, 

hardy  in  the  far  South,  and  is  now  making  an  encouraging 
record  farther  north.  In  the  Carolinas  and  Virginia  it 
appears  to  thrive,  and  specimens  have  been  known  to  have 
survived  mild  winters  without  unusual  protection.  As  a 


320 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


pot  or  tub  plant  it  requires  no  more  care  or  attention  than 
is  given  to  Hydrangea  hortensia  and  its  varieties,  to  make 
its  place  sure  in  garden  ornamentation.  The  foliage  is 
good  in  form  and  color,  and  the  creamy-white  flowers  have 
the  true  rich  orange  fragrance.  The  yellow  fruit  is  about 

one  and  a  half 
inches  in  diameter, 
and  hangs  long  on 
the  bush.  C.  tri- 
foliata  bids  fair  to 
be  of  much  service 
aside  from  its  orna- 
mental character. 
The  Department 
of  Agriculture  is 
testing  its  merits 
as  a  basis  for  the 
more  tender  sorts, 
and  by  hybridiz- 
ing, crossing,  and 
budding  it  is  hoped 
to  secure  a  new 
class  of  orange 
trees  and  one  bet- 
ter fitted  than  any  heretofore  known  for  varying  climates. 
It  is  believed  that  by  this  means  the  orange-bearing  line 
may  be  materially  extended  northward. 

C.  otaheite  is  a  Chinese  dwarf  orange,  and  valuable  for 
ornamental  purposes  only.  It  seldom  grows  more  than 
three  feet  high,  and  is  of  bushy  habit,  much  branched  and 


OTAHEITE   ORANGE. 


Citrus — Orange. 


321 


somewhat  tortuously.  It  is  a  free  bloomer  and  fruit 
bearer,  and  begins  to  bloom  when  not  more  than  a  foot 
high,  and  like  a  true  orange  bears  flowers  and  green  and 
ripe  fruit  at  the  same  time.  It  is  grown  in  the  open  in 
the  South,  but  in  the  North  must  be  treated  as  a  house- 
plant.  The  flowers  are,  when  well  opened,  fully  an  inch 


FLOWERING    BRANCH   OF  ORANQE. 


across,  and  have  creamy-white  petals  about  a  group  of 
many  erect  stamens.  They  are  deliciously  fragrant.  The 
fruit  is  small  and  of  inferior  quality,  but  it  is  edible  and 
fully  as  good  as  some  of  the  foreign  oranges  that  are 
brought  to  our  markets.  It  is  seedless,  well-colored,  and  re- 
mains long  on  the  pert  little  tree  whether  in-doors  or  out, 
and  with  the  fresh  blossoms  and  the  glossy  leaves  makes  a 
beautiful  plant.  The  otaheite  endures  the  heat  and  gas  of 


322  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

living-rooms  well,  and  if  kept  moist  and  clean  seldom  fails 
to  gratify  the  grower  with  a  crop  of  miniature  fruit.  In 
the  open  it  thrives  in  ordinarily  good  soil,  but  does  better 
in  partial  shade  than  if  exposed  to  the  full  power  of  the 

sun. 

HALESIA— Snowdrop  Tree. 

TH  E  halesias  are  coming  to  be  recognized  as  among 
our  best  ornamental  shrubs,  and  with  reason. 
They  belong  to  the  order  Styracacece,  and,  though 
the  genus  contains  not  more  than  six  or  eight  species, 
they  are  widely  distributed  as  to  nativity  over  Europe, 
Asia,  and  America.  There  are  three  indigenous  to  the 
United  States,  one  to  China,  and  two  or  more  to  Japan. 
Wherever  known  they  are  highly  appreciated  among  the 
plants  of  the  class  to  which  they  belong.  They  are 
among  the  very  floriferous  shrubs,  the  pure  white  blos- 
soms enveloping  the  whole  plant  and  making  it  a  con- 
spicuous object.  The  leaves  are  medium  in  size,  ovate- 
oblong,  sharply  pointed,  and  slightly  dentate.  They  are 
borne  on  slender  petioles.  While  the  halesias  are  not 
overparticular  as  ta  soils  and  situations,  they  appear  to 
enjoy  shady  positions  ^nd  to  have  a  preference  for  moist, 
sandy  soils. 

H.  tetraptera  is  known  as  the  four-winged  snowdrop 
or  silver-bell,  and  has  its  pure  white  flowers  in  fascicles 
containing  nine  or  ten  bell-shaped  blossoms  each.  These 
come  forth  in  early  spring  as  soon  as  the  foliage  appears, 
and  are  borne  on  pedicels  from  the  axils  of  the  growth  of 
the  previous  year.  They  are  followed  by  a  four-winged 
fruit.  As  the  branches  of  the  shrub  are  long  and  slender 


324 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


and  very  numerous,  the  well-rounded  head  shows  to  the 
best  advantage.  The  plant  is  a  native  of  this  country. 
It  grows  to  a  height  of  some  twenty  feet. 

H.  dipt  era  is  also  of  American  origin,  but  grows  only 
ten  feet  high.  It  has  even  larger  blossoms  and  leaves 
than  the  tetraptera,  and  many  prefer  it  for  garden  plant- 
ing as  it  is  known  to  be  equally  hardy.  H.  hispida  is  a 
native  of  Japan,  and  has  flowers  in  more  corymbose  ra- 
cemes than  has  either  of  the  preceding.  The  fruit  is 
covered  with  stiff  hairs.  It  is  not  yet  much  grown  in  this 
country,  and  has  no  especial  merits  over  our  own  halesias. 
None  of  the  halesias  can  be  depended  upon  to  withstand 
the  winters  of  the  extreme  North  unless  well  protected. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

IN  portraying  the  characteristics  of  ornamental  shrubs, 
it  has  become  evident  that  reference  might  well  be 
made  to  some  of  the  smaller  members  of  not  a  few 
genera  among  the  large  trees,  not  belonging  to  the  class 
described.       This  has  already  been  done  to  some  extent, 
but  there  are  yet  others   of   the   lower  forms  in   use   in 
horticulture  with    especial  features  that  should  be   men- 
tioned  in  order  to  more  full  and    complete  information 
concerning  general  gardening.       This  chapter  is  accord- 
ingly added  as  a  further  help  to  readers  of  this  volume. 

What  are  known  as  the  Japanese  maples  have  been 
described  in  detail,  but  there  are  several  other  small  forms 
of  almost  or  quite  equal  value  in  garden  planting,  which 
we  here  proceed  to  characterize  :  Acer  campestre,  the 
English  or  cork-bark  maple,  a  native  of  central  Europe, 
grows  to  a  height  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet,  and  is 
of  stocky,  roundish  habit  and  handsome  foliage.  The  bark 
is,  as  suggested  by  the  popular  name,  thick,  rough,  and 
somewhat  corky.  A.  colchicum  rubrum,  the  red  colchicum 
maple,  is  from  Japan,  ten  to  fifteen  feet  high,  of  good 
form,  with  bright  crimson-colored  foliage  when  first 
grown,  and  is  a  rare  and  beautiful  variety,  but  not  en- 
tirely hardy  in  New  England.  A.  wierii  laciniatum, 

325 


326  Ornamental  Shrubs. 

Wier's  cut-leaf  maple,  is  one  of  the  most  useful  of  the 
family,  as  it  is  a  rapid  and  graceful  grower,  forming  beauti- 
ful specimens  in  a  short  time.  It  has  pendulous  branches, 
with  deeply  cut  foliage,  and  as  it  becomes  quite  large  is 
coming  to  be  planted  as  a  street  tree.  The  ash-leaved 
maple,  or  box-elder,  also  has  the  advantage  of  being  a 
rapid  grower,  and  has  light  green,  yellowish  bark.  There 
are  two  varieties  of  this  species,  one  of  which  has  its  foli- 
age marked  with  yellow,  and  the  other  with  white.  The 
yellow  form  is  esteemed  the  more  hardy.  A.  Pennsyl- 
vanicum,  or  the  striped-bark  maple,  is  a  native  tree,  with 
broad  and  effective  foliage,  and  well  worthy  of  planting  in 
all  ordinary  collections.  A.  schwedlerii  is  distinguished 
by  its  bright  crimson  foliage  in  the  early  part  of  the  sea- 
son, later  taking  on  a  purplish  green.  In  autumn  it  again 
becomes  crimson,  and  contrasts  finely  with  other  foliage 
when  planted  in  groups.  A.  worleii  is  a  golden-leaved 
sycamore  maple,  the  foliage  being  bright  yellow  in  spring 
and  changing  to  a  duller  shade  as  the  season  advances.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  effective  of  the  whole  group  for  garden 
planting.  A.  tartaricum,  or  Tartarian  maple,  is  of  a  more 
shrubby  growth,  and  of  irregular,  rounded  form.  The  leaves 
are  rather  light-colored,  and  the  bark  smooth.  A.  ginnala 
is  described  as  a  miniature  maple  from  Siberia,  with 
deeply  notched  leaves  which  take  on  most  gorgeous  colors 
in  autumn — orange,  crimson,  and  dark  purple  or  black. 
In  speaking  of  the  Acer  rubrum,  Mr.  Samuel  Parsons, 
Jr.,  in  his  work  on  Landscape  Gardening,  says  :  "  The 
most  brilliant  effects  are  reached  in  the  red  or  crimson 
tints.  Scarlet  is  a  color  almost  unknown  to  the  normal 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 

foliage  of  hardy  plants.  The  most  familiar  example  of 
this  rich  chord  of  color  is  found  in  the  autumn  tints  of  the 
swamp,  or  falsely  named  scarlet,  maple,  Acer  rubrum. 
.  .  .  The  scarlet  or  red  maple  is  the  richest  in  autum- 
nal color  of  all  maples  ;  I  was  about  to  say  of  all  trees. 
It  seldom  fails  during  any  autumn  to  change  more  or  less 
splendidly  ;  and  therefore  deserves  to  stand  out  a  single 
flaming  monument  in  the  van  of  all  autumnal  color.  There 
is  something  quite  indescribable  in  the  glow  and  intensity 
of  tint  often  displayed  by  this  maple.  Is  it  ignorance  or 
the  want  of  seeing  eyes  that  causes  its  lack  of  employ- 
ment on  the  lawn  ?  It  is  true  the  scarlet  maple  is  slower 
growing  than  the  sugar-maple,  of  less  regular  and  pleas- 
ing outline,  and  certainly  less  beautiful  and  satisfactory  at 
other  seasons  of  the  year.  But  in  fall  it 
simply  reigns  supreme." 

As  is  well  known,  the  catalpas  flower 
in  midsummer,  and  are  as  handsome  as 
the  horse-chestnut,  the  blossoms  some- 
what resembling  those  of  that 
well-known   species.     One    of 
the  best  forms  of  the  smaller 
kinds  is  C.  bungei, 
which  comes  from 
China,   and  grows 
only  from  three  to 
five  feet  in  height. 
Its  foliage  is  large  and  glossy. 
It    fails    to    be    a    first-class 
CATALPA  BIGNONIOIDES.  bloomer,   but    should    not    be 


Miscellaneous.  329 

overlooked.  C.  bignonioides  is  a  native  of  the  United 
States,  and  is  a  showy,  spreading,  and  irregular  tree  with 
heart-shaped  leaves  and  pyramidal  clusters  nearly  or  quite 
a  foot  in  length,  and  with  white  or  purple  fragrant  blos- 
soms. The  golden  catalpa  is  a  variety  of  this  species, 
differing  from  it  chiefly  in  having  leaves  yellow  in  spring 
and  early  summer,  afterwards  becoming  green.  C.  kczmp- 
feri comes  from  Japan,  produces  yellowish-white  flowers  in 
June,  and  has  smaller  and  somewhat  distinct  foliage.  What 
is  known  as  Teas's  Japan  hybrid  is  a  low  form  with  a 
spreading  habit,  having  flowers  with  purple  dots.  The 
blossoms  are  fragrant  and  exceedingly  abundant,  and  have 
the  advantage  of  continuing  for  several  weeks. 

The  beeches  furnish  also  some  peculiar  and  interest- 
ing forms.  Among  these  is  the  well-known  purple-leaved 
beech,  which  is  probably  the  finest  dark-leaved  tree  in 
cultivation.  It  grows  large,  is  of  symmetrical  form,  and, 
though  quite  out  of  the  range  of  shrub  life,  is  highly  de- 
sirable on  tree-  and  shrub-planted  lawns.  There  is  also  a 
pendulous  variety,  established  by  grafting,  with  the  same 
dark  foliage  and  trailing  branches.  There  are  various 
forms  of  cut-leaf  and  fern-leaf  beeches  which  must  not 
be  overlooked,  though  eventually  they  become  too 
large  to  be  classed  with  shrubs.  What  is  known  as  the 
fern-leaf  beech,  Fagus  heterophylla,  is  especially  beautiful. 
It  is  believed  that  the  first  specimen  brought  into  the 
country  is  still  living,  and  stands  in  front  of  Redwood  Li- 
brary, on  Bellevue  Avenue,  in  Newport,  where  it  is  looked 
upon  almost  with  veneration  by  the  people  of  that  city 
and  those  who  make  it  their  temporary  home  in  summer. 


330 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


It  is  a  tree  of  compact  and  elegant  habit,  with  its  foliage 
finely  cut  and  fern-like,  and  in  spring  is  certainly  one  of 
the  most  charming  specimens  in  field  or  garden.  Every 
one  in  that  city  of  villas  makes  it  a  point  to  secure  one  or 
more  of  these  trees  within  his  grounds.  There  are  many 
other  cut-leaved  forms,  but  none  so  beautiful  and  delicate  as 


CUT-LEAVED  BEECH. 


this.  The  variety  known  as  the  weeping  beech  is  too 
familiar  to  need  description,  but  it  must  not  be  over- 
looked in  making  selections.  F.  tricolor  is  a  variety, 
probably,  of  the  purple  beech,  with  a  distinct  border  of 
rose  color ;  but  it  is  scarcely  in  general  use,  and  probably 
for  the  reason  that  the  variegation  will  not  continue  un- 
der the  hot  suns  of  summer.  If  planted  at  all,  it  should 
be  in  situations  protected  during  the  middle  of  the  day. 


Miscellaneous.  331 

Salisburia  adiantifolia  is  a  remarkable  tree,  which  was 
introduced  some  years  since  from  Japan,  growing  at  its 
maturity  to  a  height  of  about  forty  feet.  It  is  usually  of 
slender  form,  and  so  suited  to  positions  that  are  limited 
where  a  tree  of  that  height  is  desired.  It  is  known  as  the 
maidenhair  tree,  or  gingko,  having  foliage  resembling  in 
form  that  of  the  adiantum  fern,  which  is  thick  and  glossy. 
In  the  cities  of  Europe  it  is  becoming  a  favorite  street 
tree,  and  is  always  handsome. 

Cladrastis  tinctoria,  formerly  known  as  Virgilia  lutea, 
or  yellow  wood,  is  in  all  respects  a  most  desirable  tree  of 
moderate  growth,  broadly  rounded  head,  and  compound 
foliage,  of  light  green  color,  turning  to  yellow  in  autumn. 
The  flowers  are  pea-shape,  white,  and  fragrant,  appearing 
in  June  in  great  profusion.  It  is  not  supposed  to  be  suffi- 
ciently hardy  for  the  colder  portions  of  New  England  and 
the  Northwest,  but  in  southern  Rhode  Island  and  Con- 
necticut it  is  found  to  withstand  the  climate  in  severest 
winters.  More  attention  should  be  given  to  this  beautiful 
tree  than  it  has  had  in  the  past. 

Of  the  birches  there  are  also  several  interesting  forms 
which  cannot  well  be  overlooked  in  garden  planting. 
Betula  alba  is  the  well-known  European  white  weeping 
birch,  of  rapid  growth,  with  the  bark  of  its  stem  and 
branches  of  a  color  most  effective  in  winter,  and  a  plant 
worthy  of  general  attention.  B.  alba  aurea  is,  perhaps,  a 
more  striking  novelty.  Its  characteristics  distinguishing 
it  from  the  former  are  that  the  leaves  in  summer  are  of 
constant  yellow,  and  associated  with  the  purple  and  white 
form  it  becomes  of  great  value.  It  is  not  much  known 


332 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


as  yet  in  cultivation.  B.  pendula  laciniata  is  the  well- 
known  weeping  birch  so  largely  in  cultivation.  It  grows 
in  slender  form,  having  finely  cut  foliage  on  drooping 
branches.  It  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  silvery-white  forms 
for  planting  upon  lawns,  and  should  not  be  overlooked. 


••A 


WEEPING  BIRCH. 


B.  atro  purpurea  is  a  variety  possessing  the  habit  of  the 
other  birches,  and  distinguished  from  them  by  having 
purple  foliage  which  is  especially  attractive  in  contrast 
with  the  white  bark  of  the  stems  and  branches.  B.  nana 


Miscellaneous. 


333 


is,  perhaps,  the  smallest  member  of  the  family  known  in 
cultivation.  It  is  a  bushy,  shrubby  tree,  attaining  about 
ten  feet  in  height,  and  in  every  way  attractive. 

Many  of  the  willows  are  also  midway  between  trees 
and  shrubs,  and  as  such  are  of  the  utmost  value  in  garden 
planting.  They  are  especially  to  be  recommended  for 
winter  effects.  Salix  vitellina  is  a  small,  shrubby  form 


WEEPING  WILLOW. 


having  yellow  bark,  especially  in  winter,  when  showy 
effects  are  so  much  desired.  There  are  other  forms  known 
as  golden  willows  perhaps  equally  good,  but  none  better 
than  this.  ^.  pentandra,  or  laiirifolia,  is  one  of  the  hand- 
somest trees  to  be  seen  in  any  collection.  The  leaves  are 
dark  glossy  green,  and  highly  ornamental.  It  is  also  ex- 
cellent for  seashore  planting,  and  withstands  winds  and 


334 


Ornamental  Shrubs. 


cold  much  better  than  most  plants.  It  can  be  grown  in 
shrubby  form  if  desired.  S.  regalis  is  worthy  of  large  use 
for  the  contrasts  furnished  by  its  light  or  silvery  foliage 
with  other  plants,  and  S.  rosmarinifolia,  or  rosemary  wil- 
low, has  long,  narrow,  silky  foliage,  and  is  capable  of 
being  grown  in  a  globular  head  by  means  of  grafting. 


INDEX. 


Abelia,  92 
Acacia,  44 
Acer,  48,  326 
^Esculus,  306 
Ague  Tree,  174 
Alder,  236 

Almond,  flowering,  257 
Alnus,  236 
Althea,  302 
Amelanchier,  176 
Amorpha,  201 
Andromeda,  225 
Angelica  Tree,  209 
Apple,  flowering,  104 
Aralia,  299 
Arrow- wood,  185 
Azalea,  24 


B 


Baccharis,  224 
Barberry,  no 
Beach  Plum,  261 
Bechtel's  Crab,  log 
Beech,  329 
Berberis,  no 
Birch,  331 
Black  Alder,  143 
Black  Haw,  189 
Black  Wattle,  45 
Box,  189 
Box-elder,  326 
Buckeye,  307 
Buckthorn,  70 


Buffalo  Berry,  56 
Burning  Bush,  206 
Bush  Honeysuckle,  242 
Buxus,  189 


Calico  Bush,  i 
Calluna,  67 
Calophaca,  294 
Calycanthus,  12 
Camellia,  272 
Cape  Jessamine,  119 
Caragana,  264 
Cassandra,  231 
Catalpa,  328 
Cercis,  288 
Chaste  Tree,  275 
Cherry,  flowering,  247 
Chinese  Crab,  107 
Chinese  Lilac,  217 
Chionanthus,  239 
Citrus,  318 
Cladrastris,  331 
Clethra,  9 
Colutea,  72 
Cornel,  276 
Cornelian  Cherry,  284 
Cornus,  276 
Corylopsis,  291 
Corylus,  171 
Crab,  104 
Crape  Myrtle,  174 
Cratsegus,  74 
Currant,  flowering,  155 
Cydonia  Japonica,  102 


335 


336 


Index. 


D 


Daphne,  178 

Desfontainea,  35 

Desmodium,  210 

Deutzia,  4 

Diervilla,  150 

Dirca,  35 

Dogwood,  276 

Dwarf  Horse-chestnut,  306 


Elseagnus,  266 
Elder,  15 
Erica,  67 
Euonymus,  205 
Exochorda,  14 


False  Indigo,  201 
Fatsia,  302 
Fern-leaf  Beech,  329 
Forsythia,  33 
Fragrant  Sumach,  195 
Fringe  Tree,  239 


Gardenia,  119 
Garland  Flower,   180 
Ghent  Azaleas,  28 
Gingko,  331 
Globe  Flower,  312 
Golden  Catalpa,  329 
Golden  Chain,  318 
Golden  Hop  Tree,  317 
Golden  Willow,  333 
Gordonia,  287 
Great  Laurel,  168 
Groundsel  Tree,  224 
Guelder  Rose,  185 


H 


Halesia,  322 
Halimifolia,  224 
Hamamelis,  292 
Hardback,  123 
Hawthorn,  74 


Hazel-nut  Tree,  171 
Heath,  67 
Hedysarum,  309 
Hercules  Club,  299 
Hibiscus,  302 
High-bush  Cranberry,  183 
Hobble  Bush,  182 
Holly,  136 
Hop  Hornbeam,  209 
Hop  Tree,  316 
Horse-chestnut,  306 
Horse  Sugar,  145 
Hydrangea,  36 
Hypericum,  60 


Ilex,  136 
Ironwood,  209 
Itea,  274 


I 


J 


Japanese  Maples,  48 
Japan  Quince,  102 
Jew's  Mallow,  312 
Judas  Tree,  288 
June  Berry,  177 


K 


Kalmia,  i 
Kerria,  312 
Koelreuteria,  102 


Laburnum,  317 
Lagerstrcemia,  174 
Lead  Plant,  202 
Leatherwood,  35 
Leucothoe,  233 
Ligustrum,  57 
Lilac,  211 
Loblolly  Bay,  288 
Lonicera,  242 

M 

Macrostachya,  306 
Magnolia,  81 
Maidenhair  Tree,  331 


Index. 


337 


Mallow,  302 
Maple,  48,  326 
Meadow  Sweet,  122 
Mock  Orange,  294 
Morus,  99 
Mountain  Laurel,  i 
Mulberry,  99 
Myrica,  21 

N 

Naked  Viburnum,  184 
Ninebark,  121 


0 


Oleo  Fragrans,  204 
Orange,  318 
Osmanthus,  202 
Ostrya,  209 


Pagoda  Tree,  313 

Paulownia,  18 

Pavia,  306 

Peach,  flowering,  259 

Pearl  Bush,  14 

Persian  Lilac,  216 

Philadelphus,  294 

Phillyrea,  66 

Pieris,  227 

Pinxter,  28 

Plum,  flowering,  261 

Prim,  57 

Prinos,  143 

Privet,  57 

Prunus,  247 

Ptelea,  316 

Purple-leaved  Beech,  329 

Pyrus  Japonica,  102 

Pyrus  Malus,  104 


R 


Red  Bud,  288 
Red  Osier,  282 
Rhamnus,  70 
Rhododendron,  161 


Rhodotypos,  315 
Rhus,  194 
Ribes,  155 
Rosa  Rugosa,  95 
Rose  Acacia,  46 
Rosemary  Willow,  334 
Rose  of  Sharon,  303 
Rowan  Tree,  182 


Salisburia,  331 
Sambucus,  15 
Sassafras,  172 
Scarlet  Maple,  328 
Scotch  Laburnum,  318 
Service  Berry,  177 
Shad  Berry,  177 
Sheep  Berry,  183 
Shepherdia,  56 
Siberian  Crab,  108 
Siberian  Pea  Tree,  264 
Silver  Bell,  322 
Smoke  Tree,  198 
Snowball,  184 
Snowdrop  Tree,  322 
Sophora,  313 
Spindle  Tree,  206 
Spiraea,  120 
Spurge  Laurel,  181 
Stagger  Bush,  228 
Staghorn  Sumach,  195 
Steeple  Bush,  123 
Stephandra  Flexuosa,  71 
St.  John's-wort,  60 
St.  Peter's- wort,  126 
Strawberry  Tree,  205 
Stuartia,  157 
Styrax,  146 
Sumach,  194 
Swamp  Dogwood,  316 
Swamp  Honeysuckle,  28 
Swamp  Rose,  303 
Sweet  Fern,  24 
Sweet  Leaf,  145 
Sweet  Pepper- bush,  9 
Sweet  Viburnum,  183 
Symplocus,  144 


338 


Index. 


Syringa,  211 

Syringa  (Philadelphus),  294 


Tamarix,  310 
Tartarian  Maple,  326 
Thorn,  74 
Tree  Box,  190 


Venetian  Sumach,  198 
Viburnum,  181 
Virgilia,  331 
Vitex,  275 

W 

Waahoo,  206 
Wax  Myrtle,  22 
Wayfaring  Tree,  182 
Weeping  Beech,  330 


Weeping  Birch,  332 
Weeping  Sophora,  315 
Weigela,  150 

Weir's  Cut -leaf  Maple,  326 
White  Weeping  Birch,  331 
Wig  Tree,  198 
Wild  Rosemary,  226 
Willow,  333 
Winterberry,  143 
Witch  Hazel,  292 
Wythe  Rod,  184 


Xanothoceras,  134 


Yellow  Wood,  331 


Zenobia,  232 


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